MATCH REPORT - SWANS v BOMBERS
Liz Read 8 June 2003

Six years. Six long, frustrating years during which time the Swans had alternately been belted from pillar to post or had had victory cruelly snatched at the death. The ecstasy of 1996 was beginning to feel like a lifetime ago, so we knew that when the drought was finally broken it was going to feel sooooo good. And didn't it just. Sydney continued their vein of fine form with a 54 point victory over the cocky Bombers, a margin that, in the end, probably flattered their opponents.

Not that the signs were too good to start with. A scrappy opening to the game saw the Swans kicking into a strong, cold wind and they struggled to get any fluency going in their game. Essendon looked slightly the better team early but failed to make it count on the scoreboard. After a soccer off the ground from Mathews fortuitously fell into Hall's arms midway through the term, the Swans found themselves only a point behind on the scoreboard.

Davis, Goodes and Nicks quickly added further majors and Sydney found themselves with a handy lead at the first change.

The second term served as a reminder to the Swans that they can't afford to nap for even a short period. After they looked to be taking control of the game, the Bombers suddenly came alive and kicked four goals in a rush.

Scott Lucas was looking particularly menacing, but the Swans contributed to their own downfall with missed tackles and sloppy disposal. The Bolton boys combined to gift Richards a goal - though Jude must take most of the blame - and suddenly Essendon were level. To their credit they tightened up for the rest of the quarter and trailed by just a point at the main break.

They call the third stanza "the premiership quarter" but despite the Swans impressive string of wins they had won only three out of ten before this game. What followed after half-time therefore came as something of a surprise. Schneider started the onslaught when he ran into an open goal, and moments later Cressa snapped truly after some brilliant bullocking work from Bazza. When, twenty or so minutes later, Davis kicked his third for the quarter the Swans had added nine for the term and the game was all but won.

The highlight was a huge roost from Hall from outside the 50, a move that started with a trademark "Leo leap" in defence. For the visitors Lucas provided mild encouragement when he kicked his third, and the best of the game, from the boundary line.

As the final quarter started it became clear that it was a question of "the Swans by how many?" They piled on the next five and the lead opened up to 71 points. Essendon's defence - lacking Fletcher from the start and with an injured Jacobs sitting on the bench - was non-existent and three of those Sydney goals came from marks pretty much in the goal square. Annoyingly Lloyd spoiled the party somewhat by kicking three late goals but they counted for little.

Although this was another fine team effort by Sydney, with every player contributing something, it was the big fellas that stole the limelight. Hall's five goals only tell part of the story of his night as he roamed in and out of the forward line, finding the ball at will, and setting up team mates with some ferocious tackling.

Goodes played another superb game, demonstrating his physical strength, skill and athleticism in equal measure. And not to be outdone, Ball reminded us of why the Swans struggled for much of last year as he played his best game yet for the season. He provided the Essendon team with a clinic of how to take contested marks, and it was noticeable that the Bombers' brief spells of resurgence coincided with time Ball spent off the ground.

Amongst the smaller guys, Nick Davis provided another demonstration of his class in front of goal, while Willo and The Captain led the way in the midfield with their attack on the opposition, finishing up with nine and eight tackles respectively.