Swans embrace MCG trek with second spot up for grabs

If Sydney then win their two home finals, it will secure them a spot in the grand final at the MCG.

Fremantle (19-3) locked away the minor premiership on Friday night with a 24-point win over Adelaide in Perth.

Trips to the MCG have been rare for the Swans of late, with Cox's men playing just two games at the 'home of football' last year, and only one so far this season - a 17-point loss to Hawthorn in round two.

Sydney have lost nine of their past 12 matches at the MCG, including a deflating 81-point loss to Geelong in the 2022 grand final, as well as an equally disheartening 60-point defeat to Brisbane in the 2024 decider.

It means Sunday's match against Essendon will be more about just the result itself - with the match giving Sydney a perfect chance to snare an important confidence boost at the grand final venue.

Sydney coach Dean Cox said while it was important to get another taste of the MCG, the No.1 focus was still on Essendon rather than letting the mind wander to a possible grand final visit.

"We want to build a game plan that can stand up at any ground, it's not just specific to the SCG," Cox said.

"There's some little bit of different dimensions, but you know, this is quite a wide ground, the MCG, compared to GMHBA (Stadium) or the like.

"So we understand we don't get to play there that often. 

"That's not our choice. We'd love to play there more, but we've got to make the most of this weekend about the ground.

"But certainly, our focus is solely on Essendon and what they can do."

Sydney have been bolstered by the return of defender Dane Rampe and star ruckman Brodie Grundy, with Lewis Melican and Hayden McLean dropped.

Last week's debutant Will Green, who tallied 20 hitouts and 11 disposals in the 97-point win over Port, retains his spot after Cox opted to face the Bombers with two ruckmen.

Essendon welcome back Angus Clarke from concussion, while talls Nick Byran and Harry Jones have earned recalls.