Sydney posted its first AFL win over Essendon in Melbourne for 16 years, beating the Bombers by 20 points at Telstra Dome.

Key forward Barry Hall starred with 12 marks and seven goals as the Swans eventually pulled away from the Bombers to win 18.10 (118) to 15.8 (98).

The win also meant Sydney stayed in fourth spot on percentage ahead of the Kangaroos, who play Collingwood.

The last time Sydney beat Essendon away, it was at the Bombers' old home ground of Windy Hill.

Sydney sealed the match 22 minutes in the last quarter after a long shot from Essendon's Matthew Lloyd bounced into the post for a point.

The Swans then moved the ball brilliantly up the field for Hall to mark and kick his sixth goal, giving his side a match-winning two-goal break.

The lead had changed 12 times before the Swans slowly pulled away in the last quarter.

Essendon was weakened early in the last term when full-back Dustin Fletcher had to leave the field.

Fletcher, who played on Hall, had looked below top fitness for most of the game.

Sydney kicked the first two goals of the third term to hit the front and another three unanswered goals gave it a 12-point lead at 22 minutes, its biggest lead of the match at that stage.

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