Essendon haven’t beaten Sydney away from home since 2009.

If they don’t break that drought on Friday night, you can put a line through them as a contender and maybe write off September altogether. But while the Bombers should get the job done, the Swans might just be the best 1-6 side in AFL history - if you don’t count the team that played finals two years ago, after being winless through six rounds.

The Bombers have endured some dirty days at the SCG, including the 2017 elimination final. Credit:AAP

That’s not to say the current version of the Swans will be featuring at the pointy end of this season, far from it. For just the second time in 16 years, they should be on holiday in September. But, with the talent on their list, I have no doubt they can rebound quickly. Yes, they’ll probably lose more experience later this year, whether it be Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack or all three.

And even though Josh Kennedy and Lance Franklin are also closer to the end of their careers than the start, underneath them remains a strong core.