Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers Prediction: Swans expected to dominate in this encounter

In the third week of Australian Football League action, the Sydney Swans will face off against the Essendon Bombers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With two consecutive wins to start the season, the Swans will be aiming to continue their winning streak. However, can the Essendon Bombers secure another victory here following their win over the Hawthorn Hawks in game 1?

The Sydney Swans have demonstrated their strength in the 2024 season by defeating both Melbourne with a score of 86-64 and Collingwood with a score of 102-69 in their opening two matches. Their backline appears solid right from the start, with Matt Roberts and Lewis Melican effectively moving the ball. Additionally, their midfield has displayed flawless movement, with players like Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, and Errol Gulden averaging over 25 disposals in the Swans' first two matches. Despite a knock to his knee in the game against the Collingwood Magpies, Tom Papley is set to play in the upcoming game. However, Taylor Adams and Luke Parker are still a couple of weeks away from returning to action.

The Essendon Bombers put on a solid performance against the Hawthorn Hawks in their first match of the season, securing a 107-83 victory. One of the positives for the Bombers was their accuracy in front of goal, kicking 17 goals and 5 behinds. Jake Stringer contributed significantly with 4 goals and 1 behind, while Kyle Langford kicked 3 goals straight. The Bombers demonstrated efficiency inside the 50-meter arc, scoring on over 50 percent of their entries.

However, there are concerns for the Bombers, particularly with their backline ball movement. They appeared uncomfortable dealing with the Hawks' ball movement, which allowed the Hawks to find space in the corridor and move the ball effectively through the midfield with short kicks. Despite this, the Bombers managed to secure the win, albeit facing challenges from the Hawks until the final quarter.

Unfortunately, Zach Reid suffered a hamstring injury during the match against the Hawks and is expected to be sidelined for a month. Additionally, Matt Guelfi sustained a calf injury and is expected to miss up to three weeks. Darcy Parish may return to action for the Bombers this week, pending further assessment during game day.

With impressive wins already under their belt against strong contenders like Melbourne Demons and Collingwood Magpies, the Swans are proving themselves to be a force to be reckoned with this season. They have demonstrated solidity in defense and dominance in midfield, leading to comfortable wins in their previous matches. Given their strong performance against defensively sound teams, it's anticipated that the Swans will continue their winning streak and potentially secure a convincing victory against the Bombers.