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Match-day information
Sydney Swans v Essendon Bombers
(Marn Grook Trophy match)
Date: Saturday 11 July
Time: 2.10pm
(Gates open 10.45am, Swans Reserves match begins at 10.50am)
Venue: SCG
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
The match-day sponsor for this game is Qantas.
Marn Grook Trophy
Since 2002, the Swans and Essendon have played for the Marn Grook Trophy. Marn Grook is the name given to a corroboree by the Djabwurrung and Jardwadjali clans in Victorian’s Western District, which was possibly the inspiration for Australian Rules Football. The words 'Marn Grook' translate to ‘Game Ball’. It is believed in the 1840’s, the founder of Australian Rules Football, Tom Wills, observed a game of Marn Grook and thought it was a good way for Australian cricketers to keep fit in the winter.
Training this week
The Sydney Swans will train on Tuesday 7 July from 2pm at the SCG. This session is open to the public, and all are invited to come along.
Reserves - round 14
Sydney Swans Reserves v Tuggeranong
Date: Saturday 11 July
Time: 10.50am
Venue: SCG
Broadcast information
This match will be broadcast live in Sydney from 2.00pm AEST on both Network Ten and Fox Sports 1. For additional broadcast information, click here.
Head to head
The Sydney Swans have won 78 of 207 matches against Essendon for a winning percentage of 37.68%
Last three years
Round 1, 2006 Sydney Swans 12.9.81 defeated by Essendon 17.6.108 @ Telstra Dome
Round 18, 2006 Sydney Swans 17.14.116 defeated Essendon 11.7.73 @ SCG
Round 10, 2007 Sydney Swans 11.7.73 defeated by Essendon 11.8.74 @ SCG
Round 8, 2008 Sydney Swans 21.17.143 defeated Essendon 7.10.52 @ ANZ Stadium
Last time they met
After rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the pre-season and undergoing revolutionary knee surgery, Nick Malceski made his eagerly anticipated return against the Bombers and showed no signs he lacked any of the skill or pace that saw him place second in the Club’s best and fairest in 2007. The Swans stormed out to a 27-point quarter-time lead and looked set to return to form after taking only two premiership points from their last three matches.
Having remained goalless in the first quarter, the Bombers started the second term in dangerous fashion, booting the first four goals to get within three points of the red and white. The Swans steadied late in the term as majors to O’Loughlin and Playfair stretched the margin back out to 16 points at the main break.
With Craig Bolton holding Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd, the Bombers’ small forwards Andrew Welsh, Leroy Jetta and Jay Neagle were left to keep their side in the contest. With a goal from each, the Bombers got to within two goals before a Swans onslaught got the home side out to a 41-point lead at three-quarter time.
The large deficit going into the last quarter proved too big for the Bombers to pin back as the Swans went on to kick the last thirteen goals of the match, complemented by a six-goal haul from Michael O’Loughlin, to finish the contest 91-point winners.
Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 – Brett Kirk (Syd), 2 – Jude Bolton (Syd), 1 – Jarred Moore (Syd)
Fast footy facts
The highest score the Swans have kicked in a match is 36.20.236 which was against Essendon in Round 17, 1987.
The greatest winning margin for the Swans in their long history is by 163 points against the Bombers in 1987.
The Sydney Swans’ greatest winning margin last year was by 91 points against Essendon in Round 8.
Swan Bob Pratt once kicked 15 goals and 14 goals against Essendon in 1943 in rounds three and 14.
Both teams are coming into the game having claimed two victories and two losses against each other from their past four matches.
The first time the teams played each other for the Marn Grook trophy was in 2002.
