Essendon have survived a scare against the winless Sydney to hold on for a thrilling four-point AFLW victory at Ikon Park.
The Bombers had to overcome a stirring Swans start and withstand a determined comeback in the dying stages to secure their 7.6 (48) to 7.2 (44) triumph on Saturday.
Sophie Alexander looked to have given the Bombers enough breathing space when she kicked a goal to make the margin 10 points with under four minutes remaining, but the Swans kept coming.
Sophie Hurley marked inside 50m and hurriedly took the set shot to get the visitors within a goal with 43 seconds left on the clock, but the Bombers were then able to hang on and snap their four-game losing streak.
Maddy Prespakis again led the way for Essendon around the stoppages and gathered 22 disposals, while Jacqui Vogt (16) impressed on her return.
Stephanie Cain (15) and Amelia Radford (14) were also prominent, and Bonnie Toogood (14, one goal) was lively in the forward half.
Daria Bannister (12 touches, two goals) and Catherine Phillips (11, two) helped keep the Bombers in the game especially early on as Sydney charged to a 10-point lead at the main break.
This was arguably the Swans (0-8) most impressive performance of their debut season as they matched the Bombers (3-5) at the contest and were still in the game deep into the final term.
Much of Sydney's success was built on intense forward pressure which helped propel them to their highest score of the season, with Cynthia Hamilton a big presence near goal and finishing with two majors.
Hamilton's first was a strong contender for goal of the day when the 18-year-old bombed the ball from outside 50m and got a fortunate bounce over heads and through the big sticks.
Young gun Hurley was another standout and slotted her first two AFLW goals while also gathering 12 touches and six tackles, to again press her claims for a Rising Star nomination.
Swans debutant Zoe Hurrell showed plenty of promise and booted a goal with her first kick when no one bothered to stand on the mark after a 50m penalty, the 21-year-old strolling into range for a simple shot.
The Swans will continue chasing their first-ever AFLW victory when they next host Fremantle, while the Bombers face flag contenders Melbourne.
