Nate Caddy brings up game 50 as Essendon meet Sydney Swans
Essendon meet Sydney Swans at MCG, Sunday 3:15pm (AFL, Round 2). Essendon have won 135 of the 233 meetings with Sydney Swans since 1897.
The big picture
Essendon are 2–21 in AFL 2026, averaging 69.6 points for and 107.7 against.
Sydney Swans are 19–6 in AFL 2026, averaging 110.2 points for and 81.6 against.
Form
Essendon have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Port Adelaide 95–105.
Sydney Swans have won four of their last five and most recently lost to Fremantle 71–83.
Essendon have lost their last five.
Head to head
These sides have met 233 times on our records since 1897: Essendon 135, Sydney Swans 97, 1 drawn.
Last time out (2026, Round 23), Sydney Swans won 112–76 at MCG.
Biggest margin between these two: Essendon by 165 points in 1964 (184–19).
Players to watch
For Essendon, watch Archie Roberts (28.1 disposals a game, 2 goals in 2026) and Zach Merrett (27.3 disposals a game, 10 goals in 2026).
For Sydney Swans, watch Errol Gulden (32 disposals a game, 4 goals in 2026) and Isaac Heeney (26.9 disposals a game, 32 goals in 2026).
Milestone watch
Nate Caddy is set to play game 50.
At MCG
Sydney Swans have won 2 of 4 at MCG.
Essendon have won 1 of their last 13 at MCG.
What the numbers say
On form and history, Sydney Swans have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
