A 31-point lead to the Bombers going into the final quarter proved too much for the Swans, as Essendon inflicted the first defeat on the home side at the ground this season, winning 15.17 (107) to 10.12 (72).
The loss leaves the Swans' finals hopes hanging by a thread.
In front of 30,924, the SCG's biggest crowd this season and on the day retired spearhead Barry Hall said an emotional goodbye at half time, the Bombers held leads at every change.
Essendon's young gun Tayte Pears was superb in defence, racking up the possessions and pushing into midfield cleverly, while Brent Stanton also impressed. Scott Lucas, Jason Winderlich and Matthew Lloyd kicked three goals apiece.
For the home side Michael O'Loughlin was superb as a leading forward, and had one of his best days for the season with three goals, while the in-form Ryan O'Keefe was also effective in winning 27 possessions.
O'Loughlin used all his experience with clever leading and accurate kicking giving him two goals for the first quarter, but the Dons took a four-point lead going into the first break.
In an even and entertaining first term, Mike Pyke, a late call up after midfield star Jarrad McVeigh injured his hamstring in the warm-up, looked promising in the ruck with eight hit-outs.
And it was his tap that saw Adam Goodes on the burst pick up possession through the centre corridor to boot home a ripper from 50m.
But Essendon was finding space across the SCG and exploiting it to rack up the inside 50s (17-10 for the quarter) with Lucas, Kyle Reimers and Lloyd managing a goal apiece and the clever Alwyn Davey roving effectively in the forward pocket.
The lead was extended to 18 points at the main break as the momentum swung the Dons' way. Essendon booted the first four majors of the quarter with Lloyd's second of the day and majors to Winderlich, Sam Lonergan and Andrew Welsh.
The home side hit back late in the quarter with a much-needed Ryan O'Keefe set shot, but O'Loughlin blew a golden opportunity to drag the lead back further with a dreadful kick in the shadows of the half-time siren.
The third quarter was a real arm-wrestle but a four goals to two term extended Essendon's lead to 31 points. The Bombers' quick replies to both Swans goals (Ed Barlow and Pat Veszpremi) included Lloyd's third of the day.
Right on the siren the Swans blew a great chance to get back into the contest and take some momentum into the final term. Jared Crouch won a free and a 50m penalty, but his set shot from 20m wobbled wide of the big posts. What an opportunity missed for the home side.
In the final quarter, Essendon was content to play cautiously, slowing the game down and blocking up the defensive corridors.
Poor kicking again let down the home side, with Ted Richards blowing a set shot from 30m out, but majors to O'Loughlin, Crouch and Veszpremi raised hopes for the home side.
Lucas and Winderlich each with their third of the day kept the Swans at bay as Essendon's superior fitness shone through.
The victory also meant the Bombers took out the annual Marn Grook trophy.
The Dons now look ahead to a Friday night blockbuster with the wounded Bulldogs at Etihad stadium and 24 hours later at the same venue, the Swans front up for a must-win clash against Carlton.
Sydney Swans 4.2 5.8 7.11 10.12 (72)
Essendon 4.6 8.8 12.12 15.17 (107)
Goals
Sydney Swans: O’Loughlin 3, Veszpremi 2, O’Keefe 1, Goodes 1, Roberts-Thomson 1, Barlow 1, Crouch 1
Essendon: Lloyd 3, Lucas 3, Winderlich 3, Dyson 2, Welsh 1, Lonergan 1, Reimers 1, Welsh 1
Best
Sydney Swans: O’Keefe, Goodes, Kirk, O’Loughlin, Shaw, Barlow
Essendon: Stanton, Pears, Lovett, Watson, Welsh, Reimers, Winderlich, Dempsey
Injuries: Sydney (Jarrad McVeigh replaced in selected side by Mike Pyke)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Troy Pannell
Official crowd: 30,924 at the SCG
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
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