A sterling performance in slippery conditions from Adam Goodes has helped lift Sydney to a 44-point AFL victory over Essendon at the SCG.
After an uncharacteristically quiet start to the match, Goodes ignited the reigning premiers in the second quarter and finished with four goals as they ran out 17.13 (115) to 10.11 (71) winners.
Both sides suffered injury setbacks in a contest defined by driving rain and desperate pressure.
Sydney’s Irish spearhead Tommy Walsh was substituted off early in the second quarter with a leg injury, while Bomber Courtenay Dempsey was taken to hospital in the third term after vomiting up blood as a result of a crunching collision with Nick Smith.
Essendon coach James Hird had already thrown debutant Will Hams into the action, leaving the visitors a man down for most of the second half.
Despite the disadvantage, the Bombers pulled within 19 points in the final quarter before Andrejs Everitt and Ben McGlynn booted goals and Goodes snapped the sealer.
All eyes were on the indigenous icon as he took to the field for the first time since Eddie McGuire’s suggestion he promote the King Kong musical, staggering comments that came five days after he was branded an “ape” at the MCG by a 13-year-old Collingwood fan.
In the scheme of things, as Swans coach John Longmire pointed out during the week, Goodes’ on-field performance did not matter in the context of his hurt and the broader social issue of racism.
The dual Brownlow medallist collected two touches in the opening quarter, each of them greeted with rapturous applause from the the vast majority of the 29,792-strong crowd.
Then, with the Bombers having reduced the deficit to just one goal, it all clicked as the veteran came up with a couple of classy moments.
Goodes first sprinted 30m to haul in Michael Hibberd with a brilliant tackle, then helped set up a goal against the run of momentum for co-captain Kieren Jack.
After yet another brilliant tackle, Goodes then outpointed Jake Carlisle to mark and kick the goal that gave the hosts a 18-point halftime lead.
Goodes continued to shine in the second half, while Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Malceski provided great dash off the halfback line for Sydney.
Swans on-baller Josh Kennedy tallied a game-high 37 disposals, while Brent Stanton had 36 for the visitors.
