Sydney have maintained their unbeaten start to the AFL season with a spiteful 30-point win over Essendon.

But the ladder-leading Swans' 19.17 (131) to 15.11 (101) victory at the SCG on Saturday night was overshadowed by a huge bump from big Bomber Peter Wright that left Sydney midfielder Harry Cunningham concussed.

The match was barely four minutes old when the 203cm-tall Wright leapt in the air, turned sideways and knocked out the 181cm Cunningham.

The Swans man was stretchered off the ground and substituted out with concussion, while Wright copped a chorus of boos every time he subsequently touched the ball.

Set upon by a throng of irate Sydney players, the big forward faces a lengthy suspension.

Tom Papley (four goals, 24 disposals) was dynamic, while Isaac Heeney (32 touches, one goal) and Errol Gulden (24, two) continued their blistering start to 2024.

Captain Zach Merrett (two goals, 32 disposals), Nic Martin (31 touches) and Will Setterfield (29) led the charge for valiant Essendon.

AAP