SYDNEY has a rare chance to finally end an almost century-long hoodoo when it faces Essendon at the MCG on Saturday.

The Swans have beaten Essendon on the hallowed turf just once, and that was 96 years ago.

The MCG has been an unhappy hunting ground for Sydney against Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos

Amazingly, there is a club-versus-club drought at a venue that is even more ancient than this one – and it also belongs to Sydney/South Melbourne.

In that record-holding case, the Swans haven't toppled Carlton at the MCG for 101 years!

However, since South Melbourne's semi-final victory over the Blues in 1918 they have met at the home of football just three times – in 1981, the 1986 qualifying final and in round six, 2017, when Carlton won by 19 points.

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The Swans have endured a far greater curse against Essendon, though, losing their past nine head-to-head encounters at the 'G by a resounding average margin of 41 points.

Saturday's game – their first clash at the MCG since 2004 – looms as a crucial contest for both combatants, who sit just outside the top eight.

Dean Solomon tackles Tadgh Kennelly the last time the Swans met the Bombers at the MCG in 2004. Picture: AFL Photos

The last time they met – in round eight at the SCG – Sydney won by five points after defender Dane Rampe inexplicably climbed, and wobbled, a goalpost as Bomber David Myers' after the-siren shot dropped short.

"A free kick shall be awarded against a player or official who intentionally shakes a goal or behind post either before or after a player has disposed of the football."

Jimmy Bartel noticed this from Dane Rampe in the final moments of the game.

: @7afl pic.twitter.com/EEieCM03Ku

— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) May 10, 2019

This time around, the teams share some parallels.

Both won last week despite losing their No.1 ruckmen – Essendon's Tom Bellchambers and Sydney's Callum Sinclair – to significant injuries.

They have also been the subject of much speculation this week, with Swans coach John Longmire less than convincing when asked about interest from North Melbourne, while an AFL.com.au report revealed Dons star Orazio Fantasia's desire to return to his native Adelaide at some stage in his career. 

The Swans last tasted victory against Essendon at the 'G way back in 1923, when the legendary Roy Cazaly (pictured below) helped them triumph over the eventual premier by 17 points in the second semi-final.

The Dons' domination over the Swans at 'the cricket ground' began the following year, 1924, when they trounced the Southerners in a round-robin final en route to back-to-back flags.

In those now-distant days of suburban grounds they only ever met at the MCG on the rare occasion they opposed each other in finals, and it wasn't until the Bombers started playing home games at the 'G in 1992 that the two teams faced off there on a semi-regular basis.

The Dons generally won comfortably in their eight MCG contests between 1992-2004 under coach Kevin Sheedy.

In a memorable performance in round three, 1999, Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd bagged a career-best 13 of his team's 22 goals in an 81-point win. The next week, Lloyd was held to one goal in the Bombers' total of just 3.5 (23) in in a 74-point drubbing from West Coast in Perth.

* Unbroken

• Only includes droughts that have ended and those that could still end at current venues.
• Statistics supplied by Stephen Rodgers and Col Hutchinson.

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