ESSENDON midfielder Kyle Langford has been sent to hospital after being on the wrong end of a heavy bump late in the Bombers' strong win over Sydney. 

With four minutes to play in the game Langford, as he collected a loose ball, was bumped to the face and shoulder by Swan Zak Jones.

Jones was reported for rough conduct for the hit, which was his second report of the night after earlier being booked for striking Zach Merrett before the opening bounce.

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Langford took some time to get to his feet before taking the free kick, and stayed on the ground for a short while before ending the match off the field receiving medical attention.

The 21-year-old had 15 disposals against the Swans but has been in the best form of his four-year career at the club and this week signed a two-year contract extension.

Coach John Worsfold said the club had concerns after Langford complained of pain in his arm.

"He's pretty sore so he's gone off to hospital now to get checked out. We're a bit unsure but concerned enough that they need to get him to hospital to get checked out," he said.

"It was shoulder pain, but the shoulder pain was lingering and going down his arm a bit. That is a warning sign I believe for the doctors to find out what's causing that pain."

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The Bombers also lost defender Matt Dea to concussion in the first quarter although Worsfold said the former Tiger had pulled up well since the incident, when he landed awkwardly after a marking contest.

The injury concerns were the only sour points of a stirring win for the Bombers, who ran over the top of the Swans to post a 43-point victory at Etihad Stadium.

The performance keeps the Bombers in the finals mix having claimed eight wins from their past 10 games.

Essendon's first eight games of the season – when they managed just two wins – could come back to bite them, but Worsfold said the prospect of finals was not the focus.

They face Hawthorn, another top-eight challenger, in a big battle at the MCG next week.

"We're just really keen to keep improving on what we're trying to do, and whatever the outcome is in a number of weeks’ time will take care of itself," he said.

"Our focus is about being as well prepared for next Saturday as we can be."

WATCH John Worsfold's full post-match media conference

There was a swag of important Essendon contributors in the win, but none had as much influence on the game as Michael Hurley, who shutdown Lance Franklin in a dominant effort.

Hurley kept Franklin, a nemesis of the red and black throughout his brilliant career, to two goals and just seven disposals.

The two-time All Australian defender was questioned about not playing on the best key forwards earlier this season, but Worsfold said sometimes the mix suited for the 28-year-old to take on other options.

"Some of the one-on-ones [Hurley] won [against Franklin] for us were really influential, so overall I thought he played the role as well as we could have asked him to," the coach said.

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"I don't know if it's always Hurley's decision not to play on the key forward. We try to utilise different players' strengths against different types of forwards and players and getting match-ups.

"It was a big ask for 'Hurls' but we thought he was our best match-up for Franklin tonight."

Third-year defender Aaron Francis made his long-awaited first appearance at senior level this season against the Swans and picked up 14 disposals in a composed display.

Worsfold was "pleased" with the 20-year-old's effort and said he "fitted in well" in the club's back half.