The only game on Friday for AFL Round 9 is between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans. The match is to be played at Etihad Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 7.50pm local time with home team Sydney Swans currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans.

Round: Round 9, Friday May 16, 7.50pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 22° Mostly sunny.

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Odds Comparison:

Essendon Bombers	3.05	3.20	3.15	3.20	3.05	3.20
Sydney Swans	1.38	1.36	1.38	1.36	1.38	1.36

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips:

Preview:

The Friday night match this week is between the Swans and the Bombers, 7.50PM at Etihad Stadium.  The Swans had an impressive 19-point win over the reigning premiers Hawthorn last week, and will go into this match as favourites.  That victory put Sydney in 4th ladder position, with a 5-3 record so far in 2014. The return of Kurt Tippett last Friday was a big boost for the Swans, and he will be looking for another big game this weekend.  If Tippett and the entire Swans forward line play to their potential, the Bombers will have to watch out.

In contrast, Essendon have looked pretty ordinary of late even though they have won their last two games.  The Bombers will have to fight very hard to nullify the Swans attack this round, and may not have what it takes to suppress them over four quarters.  If Essendon can rise to the challenge, however, this game may just give their season the kick start it has been waiting for.

Teams:

Essendon Bombers:

B, Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB, Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell
C, Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Michael Hibberd
HF, Jackson Merrett, Joe Daniher, Brendon Goddard
F, Patrick Ambrose, Patrick Ryder, David Zaharakis
Fol, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, David Myers
I/C, Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle, Kurt Aylett, Zach Merrett
Emg, Kyle Hardingham, Jason Ashby, Travis Colyer,
In, Tom Bellchambers, David Myers,
Out, Martin Gleeson (Omitted), Paul Chapman (suspension)

Sydney Swans:
B: J.Laidler, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB: R.Shaw, H.Grundy, N.Malceski
C: K.Jack, C.Bird, D.Rampe
HF: L.Jetta, K.Tippett, D.Hannebery
F: S.Reid, L.Franklin, L.Parker
FOLL: T.Derickx, JP.Kennedy, J.McVeigh
I/C: H.Cunningham, A.Goodes, B.Jack, J.Lloyd
EMG: L.Roberts-Thomson, G.Rohan, D.Towers
IN: B.Jack
OUT: B.McGlynn (illness)

News:

Essendon lapsed again but still had the experience and composure to sink a gallant Brisbane on Saturday night in an AFL thriller at the Gabba.

Guilty of going missing at vital stages in recent weeks, the Bombers faded badly in the third term before a final-quarter revival for a 9.11 (65) to 8.9 (57) win to jump into the top eight.

Youngster Jackson Merrett and Paddy Ryder kicked the only two goals of the fourth term after Brisbane shot themselves in the foot with a series of late attacking chances.

Merrett’s check-side goal on the run seven minutes into the final term was the seventh lead change of a tense clash in front of 26,432 fans.

In a week when the embattled Lions’ woes were highlighted, the club’s cubs threatened to lift the doom and gloom with a thrilling comeback.

Wearing a throwback Brisbane Bears guernsey, James Aish and Marco Paparone were prominent as the last-placed Lions quelled a second-quarter Bombers blitz.

Club leaders Jed Adcock and Tom Rockliff were also inspirational for Brisbane but the home side failed to find the polish and deliver the finishing touches required.

With red-headed goalsneak Josh Green a spark, Brisbane came roaring back after an uninspiring first half with four straight goals to snatch the lead back in the third term.

With fallout from Jack Viney tribunal visits dominating headlines, two incidents within two minutes of each other in the second term ensured more debate about the bump.

Paul Chapman raised his elbow in a collision with Jack Redden just before Andrew Raines’ shoulder collected Brendon Goddard high as they both lunged for the loose ball.

Lions defender Matt Maguire finished as the only man reported, booked for tripping Joe Daniher in the third term.

Brisbane were the more aggressive outfit in a scrappy opening to win the contested footy and kick three of the first four goals.

But a Zach Merrett major on the quarter-time siren gave the Bombers the momentum and they controlled the second term and finally were able to get some run through the middle of the Gabba to grab a 20-point lead with five straight majors.