SUMMARY 
The wait for round one is over, and both sides could not be happier. The Swans have had months to stew over what went wrong when it counted in 2014, while the Bombers have had plenty to think about themselves. After their players were found not guilty of taking banned substances by the AFL’s Anti-Doping Tribunal, the Bombers can finally take the field with their focus solely on football. Essendon haven’t beaten the Swans since late 2011 and their record at ANZ Stadium isn’t great, but this week’s events might inspire the visitors.

WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Saturday April 4th, 4.35pm AEDT

TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2014, Sydney Swans 11.13 (79) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at the SCG
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 the 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 

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans' big names inspired their wins over Essendon in 2014; in round nine it was Lance Franklin's five goals while Josh Kennedy had 39 possessions. In round 19, Luke Parker was best on ground with 35 touches.

2. The Swans have won the past four clashes between the sides and six of the last seven, but haven't defeated Essendon five times in a row since 1934-36.

3. This will be the 216th contest between the teams and the Bombers hold a clear advantage winning 130 games to the Swans 82, with one draw.

4. There was a big difference in scoring between the teams in 2014. The Sydney Swans ranked fourth for points per game team with 97 and kicked 100 or more points 11 times. Essendon was ranked 12th, averaged 83 points per game and reached 100 or more only six times. 

5. The Swans won three of five games at ANZ Stadium in 2014 including two finals while Essendon has four losses from five games at the same venue.

6. There was a heavy contrast in game styles between the two teams in 2014; the Swans were the number one ranked long kicking team averaging 61 per game, while the Bombers ranked first for short kicks, averaging 98 per game.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … John Longmire, who will coach the Swans for the 100th time in the 2015 season opener. Longmire had an underwhelming start to his career when the Swans drew with Melbourne in his debut, but the 2012 premiership came in just his second year in charge and he took the club to another Grand Final in 2014. Over the past three seasons the side has never won fewer than 16 games.

PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 23 points.