Tom Bellchambers took a strong contested mark and converted early in the third term to cut the Swans lead to three points.
The Dons controlled the early tempo in the second half taking 12 marks to two in the opening five minutes, but the Swans kept the Bombers at arms length with Dan Hannebery snapping to give the home side a nine point lead.
The Bombers continued to press – matching it with the Swans in contested possessions (110-100 Sydney’s way at three quarter time). But when Isaac Heeney kicked his second the margin was 17 points on a night where gaining clean possession was difficult.
The margin got out to 24 points before Shaun McKernan got one back for the Dons nearing three quarter time and when Conor McKenna kicked a running goal from 50m the margin was back to 12 points at the final change.
The Dons won five out of six clearances either side of three quarter time and when McKernan nailed his second the Bombers were within a kick early in the last quarter.
Conor McKenna continued his excellent run of form and it was his dare from the backline that brought the Bombers back to within a point. McKenna was involved on two occasions in the scoring chain that ended in a goal to Orazio Fantasia.
Two cruching tackles then saw the Bombers hit the front. Fantasia laid a tackle on Gary Rohan that went unrewarded, then Josh Green and Zach Merrett joined forces to tackle Nic Newman. From the holding the ball free kick Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti got free and nailed his set shot.
After five straight goals Essendon led by five points with ten minutes to play.
Enter Travis Colyer who made it six in a row and the margin was out to 11 points.
The Bombers had evened up the clearances (32-28 Sydney's way with five minutes to play) and when Michael Hurley converted a set shot the margin was 19 points.
The Swans quickly responded to bring it back to 13 points with 4:32 to play. Another goal to Nic Newman had the margin down to six points with 1:16 left, before Gary Rohan marked and goaled after the siren to steal it for the Swans.
