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Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 21 Tips - Swans pressure tap released

ryan-tucker
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Last updated: Thu 31 Jul 2025 15:39

The Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers are set for a clash in Round 21 of the 2025 AFL season. Despite the Swans losing their chance to make the finals, they're predicted to outperform the Bombers, who are plagued by injuries and poor form. Sydney's elite midfield, featuring players like Will Hayward and Callum Mills, aims to exploit Essendon's vulnerabilities. The Bombers, with sixteen players sidelined, face challenges in defense and scoring, conceding over 100 points in five of their last six games. Expect a strong performance from the Swans to finish the season on a high note.

Ryan Tucker 31 Jul 2025
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  • Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 21 AFL game
  • The game will be played at SCG, with the bounce at 4:15 PM (AEST)
  • Swans' finals hopes are over; still favored to beat Essendon.
  • Essendon plagued with 16 injuries, poor form continues.
  • Key players: Will Hayward targets goals; Callum Mills aims for turnovers.
Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 21 Tips

Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers, Round 21 2025 - Expert Prediction


With Sydney’s finals hopes now gone this could be a let down spot but given the available players Essendon have the Swans are still tipped to get the job done.
  • Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers, Round 21 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head
  • Sydney Swans Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • Sydney Swans Team News
  • Sydney Swans Team List
  • Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • Essendon Bombers Team News
  • Essendon Bombers Team List
  • Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21 FAQ’s

The line has been set at 45.5 points which is mainly affected by the recent form of both teams, specifically Essendon’s attack. Historically these games aren’t blowouts but the Bombers have 16 players on their injury list and are much lower on confidence than their counterparts at this stage of the season.

Sydney should see this game as an opportunity to go out and have some fun against an inferior opponent and enjoy the remainder of the season without the pressure of elimination which has been on their backs the past 5-6 weeks.

Even though they have their own problems with injury, especially up forward - they still have a good bunch of troops that can perform and their midfield core is still elite. 

Take the Swans to go Over their Team Total with Will Hayward being the main target and contributor. Callum Mills has been impactful since returning from injury and is expected to force a few turnovers lifting his disposal numbers.

  • Essendon have allowed their opponent to score 100+ points in 5 of their last 6 games.
  • Sydney have scored more than 97.5 vs Essendon in 5 straight victories.
  • Will Hayward scored 3 goals as the main target in a losing game last weekend.
  • Essendon commit the 3rd highest number of Turnovers, Callum Mills has reached 25+ disposals in 4 of 8 games this season since returning from injury.

Head to Head

 
Essendon took the win earlier this season 71-63 at Marvel but it was only their 2nd win in the last 8 games with the Swans holding a dominance. The H2H record since the start of the 2019 season is 7-4 in favour of Sydney.

The Game Total has gone Under in 2 straight matchups as well as 6 of the last 11 while the winning margin has stayed between 1-39 in all but 1 of the last 11 games.

Sydney Swans Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-22-33-2

Sydney’s season ended last weekend with a 102-58 loss to their little brother GWS. The Swans led by as much as 35 points in the 2nd quarter and looked to have the game in a stranglehold despite losing key forward Hayden McLean in the first minute. 

But as fate would have it, the momentum shifted in the second half and the Swans could do nothing but watch on as their opponent blasted 20 scoring shots to 5 with the big Sydney stars too quiet in a season-defining match.

Errol Gulden and Brodie Grundy were still solid with Gulden leading all on field with his 32 touches. Grundy finished with 24 of his own including 5 clearances and 29 hitouts. 

Sydney are now unable to make finals but will likely still be in the boxseat to ruin plans for other teams in their battle for seeding.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-3940+
9-107-127-72-3

Sydney Swans Team News


Hayden McLean was knocked out and will undergo concussion protocol. Joel Hamling did his hamstring and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.

Sydney Swans Team List


B: L.Melican, D.Rampe, T.McCartin
HB: C.Mills (c), N.Blakey, S.Wicks
C: B.Campbell, Ch.Warner, J.Lloyd
HF: J.Rowbottom, J.Buller, J.Jordon
F: J.McInerney, T.Papley, J.Dattoli
B.Grundy, I.Heeney, E.Gulden

I/C H.Cunningham, A.Sheldrick, O.Florent, C.Cleary, P.Ladhams
EMG: A.Francis, M.Roberts, N.Bowman

IN: T.McCartin, J.Dattoli, O.Florent, C.Cleary, P.Ladhams
OUT: J.Hamling (Injured), M.Roberts (Omitted), H.McLean (Injured), A.Francis (Omitted), W.Hayward (Injured)

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
0-50-53-2

Another 90+ point loss for the Bombers over the weekend, the 2nd time this season to the Bulldogs and 3rd in total. Their average losing margin in 2025 is over 40 points and the loss extends their streak to 8 games without a win.

The wind has all but been blown out of the sails from the Bombers this season, after an exciting start to the year which saw them win 5 of their first 8 games. From there the capitulation was dramatic and they somehow look worse every week.

The scoring has dried up, they average just 56 points over their last 6 games while all but 1 opponent in that same span has scored 100+ against them.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-3940+
5-137-116-40-8

Essendon Bombers Team News


The Bombers have one of the largest injury lists in the AFL with 16 players all out. A fair majority are top line players that will likely not see another minute of action this year. Jordan Ridley is the newest addition after injuring his hammy last weekend.

Essendon Bombers Team List


B: A.McGrath, J.Laverde, J.Nguyen
HB: M.Redman, L.Blakiston, A.Roberts
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett (c), L.Lual
HF: A.Perkins, P.Wright, J.Gresham
F: B.Hobbs, L.McMahon, I.Kako
R: T.Goldstein, D.Shiel, S.Durham

I/C: J.Prior, A.May, M.Guelfi, A.Clarke, O.Smartt
EMG: J.Menzie, V.Visentini, S.El-Hawli

IN: J.Nguyen, X.Duursma, B.Hobbs, A.May
OUT: J.Ridley (Injured), S.El-Hawli (Omitted), N.Caddy (Injured), Z.Johnson (Omitted)

Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21 FAQ’s

How to watch Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21?

You can watch the Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21?

To buy tickets to the Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 21 game check the AFL website or the official Sydney Swans site.

Verdict

Take the Swans to go Over their Team Total with Will Hayward being the main target and contributor. Callum Mills has been impactful since returning from injury and is expected to force a few turnovers lifting his disposal numbers.
Best Bet1: Sydney Over 97.5 Team Total $1.95 at Elitebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Will Hayward 3+ Goals $2.45 at picklebet - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Will Hayward 4+ Goals $5.00 at Playup - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Callum Mills 25+ Disposals $1.87 at Elitebet - 1 Unit
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