Essendon have edged out Sydney in an SCG arm-wrestle to start an AFL season 2-0 for the first time since 2009.
The Bombers were never comfortable but led from start to finish to prevail 12.7 (79) to 11.7 (73).
Key forward Shaun McKernan booted an equal game-high three goals including a crucial long-range effort in the final quarter.
The Swans closed to within a point through red-time majors to small forwards Lewis Taylor (three goals) and Tom Papley (three).
But Bombers midfielder Darcy Parish, who had 13 last-term possessions, kicked a clutch set shot to seal the one-goal win.
Despite waiting around at the ground for hours after sharing an early flight with North Melbourne, Essendon were faster out of the blocks.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti showed no lingering signs of an ankle concern, kicking two goals as the Bombers grabbed an early lead.
Without their veteran spearheads Lance Franklin (hamstring) and Sam Reid (knee), the Swans needed their young talls to stand up.
They showed good early signs as a running Nick Blakey fired home from outside 50 and Tom McCartin snapped quickly from close range.
But the Bombers reasserted their ascendancy, with Devon Smith’s sublime snap from the boundary restoring their three-goal buffer.
After trading goals to start the second quarter, tempers erupted in the middle with Adam Saad and Tom Papley at the centre of an all-in wrestling match.
Aaron Francis clumsily caught Isaac Heeney high and the silky Swan made no mistake with a beautiful bender from the boundary.
In the blink of an eye, the Swans had two in as many minutes with Papley closing the half with a nifty finish.
For all their efficiency going inside 50 (56 per cent), Essendon only lead by one straight kick at the main break as the Swans warmed into the contest.
Ice-cold in the first half, McKernan bobbed up to boot two quick goals but Papley again had the answer with a booming goal from outside 50 as the Swans refused to lie down.
It was all set up for enthralling last term but skill errors and turnovers meant neither side hit the scoreboard until McKernan pounced on an errant chip from Taylor.
Taylor and Papley made it close at the death before Parish found the winner.
