THIS looms as an important clash for both teams given their respective positions on the ladder. The Sydney Swans will be aiming to bounce back after their loss to Hawthorn last week, their first defeat since round four against North Melbourne,  and need to keep winning to secure a top-two position and home qualifying final. The Bombers, meanwhile, could go a long way to securing a top-eight position if they can get over the line. It will be a tough ask, though. The Swans have had a strong recent record against Essendon, winning four of the past five encounters between the clubs.





WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Friday August 1, 7.50pm AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2014, Sydney Swans 18.6 (114) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.13 (115) d Essendon 10.11 (71) at SCG
R11, 2012, Sydney Swans 13.8 (86) d Essendon 11.16 (82) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2011, Essendon 15.10 (100) d Sydney Swans 14.15 (99) at Etihad Stadium
R2, 2011, Sydney Swans 14.14 (98) d Essendon 13.15 (93) at ANZ Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans are the No.1 tackling side in the competition, averaging 74.8 tackles a game. Essendon is ranked 10th with 67.4 a game.

2. John Longmire's side combines tenacity with scoring prowess. The Swans have averaged 96 points a game and passed the 100-point barrier eight times this year. Essendon has averaged 83 points an outing.  

3. Can the Bombers stop Buddy? Earlier this year Lance Franklin kicked five against Essendon, taking his tally against the club to 55 goals in just 11 games. He's kicked five or more in each of his past six games against the Dons.

4. The Bombers continue to like to hold on to the ball. They are ranked in the top two for kicks, total disposals, marks, uncontested possessions and contested marks.

5. Josh Kennedy was a standout the last time these sides met, in round nine, when he gathered 39 disposals and 10 clearances. In 17 games this year, Kennedy has passed 30 possessions seven times.

6. Jake Carlisle has enjoyed an extraordinary turn of form in the past two weeks, helping himself to a combined 45 disposals, 12 goals, 31 marks and an enormous influence in Essendon's forward line. It has been reflected in the Official AFL Players Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, where Carlisle is up to a career-high position of 136th on the table.

Prediction: Sydney Swans by 28 points