The Bombers started with Patrick Ambrose on Lance Franklin and Michael Hartley on Sam Reid.
In the Dons forward line, Dane Rampe is playing on Joe Daniher, Heath Grundy is on James Stewart and Nick Smith is on Orazio Fantasia.
Daniher kicked the opening goal of the match after a spectacular mark deep inside the forward 50.
The Swans responded with the next three but the Bombers were matching the home side in all of the key areas, but missed two set shots inside 50.
At quarter time Essendon trailed by 11 points. Darcy Parish picked up nine possessions in the first quarter. The Swans had the edge in clearances (13-8) and contested possession (43-34), but the Dons led the tackle count (39-30).
Three early second quarter goals to Franklin extended the Swans margin to 27 points.
By midway through the second quarter, Sydney led the marks inside 50 (7-2), intercept marks (11-3) and contested marks (13-2).
The Swans lead got out to 55 points before Josh Begley kicked the Dons second goal of the match.
At half time the home side was in front by 61 points.
Brendon Goddard (12 disposals), Dyson Heppell (11), James Kelly (10), Jobe Watson (10) and Parish (10) were the leading ball winners for the Bombers.
