A PHILOSOPHICAL John Worsfold says reports of star Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia's eventual wish to return to South Australia are "a reality of the industry". 

AFL.com.au revealed on Wednesday that both Adelaide and Port Adelaide believed Fantasia would seek a return to SA at some stage in his career, and that Essendon was aware of the forward's preference to eventually play in his home state.

HOMESICK DON Fantasia wants SA move, Port in box seat 

On the same day, Fantasia told reporters he had no intention of returning to SA at the end of the 2019 season, and his manager Anthony McConville told Channel Seven he would fulfil his contract that runs until the end of 2021.

Orazio Fantasia was well held by Callum Mills. Picture: AFL Photos

After Essendon's 10-point win over Sydney at the MCG on Saturday, Bombers coach Worsfold compared the reaction to the Fantasia report with the frenzied movement of NBA free agents in the past week.

"We had a laugh about it. One of the things in this industry is that that's a reality of the industry," Worsfold said.

BOMBERS EDGE SWANS Full match coverage and stats

"A lot of our players follow the NBA, and that's all they're talking about at the moment. They talk about where players are going, what players are doing and none of them are fussed by it.

"But when it's all of a sudden it's one of ours, they all say 'No one can say that, I haven't said that, how can they report something that I haven't said?'.

"Take it as part of the industry, someone's had a stab at something. Orazio has said 'I have not asked anything in regard to that'. On we go."

WATCH John Worsfold's full post-match press conference

Fantasia finished with one (outrageous) goal against the Swans, but was largely well held by Callum Mills in what was a dour struggle for the opening three quarters before play opened up.

Victory saw Essendon move to 8-7 ahead of another crucial clash next Saturday, with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Worsfold was hopeful of having captain Dyson Heppell back after he missed the Swans win.

"He's got a sore foot that's been there for a couple of weeks. It's been recovering well enough post-game. This week it was a bit sorer," Worsfold said.

"It was hard for 'Hep' to say it's probably the best thing to give it a week off, but we felt that was certainly in his best interest."

Cale Hooker, 30, had his back worked on in several stints on the bench.

"He was just a bit stiff in the back. I'm not sure why, whether it was an incident in the game or whether he, I'm not going to say the o-l-d word, but anyway," Worsfold said.

The victory was hardly comprehensive and Worsfold wasn't getting carried away. As to whether his side can contend for the flag, he said that would come down to several factors, which he listed.

"If we're in the finals at the end of the year, how other teams are going, the health of our group and how hard we continue to work," Worsfold said.

"We've got a big game next week. we're going to make improvements week on week through training and more games.

"Playing together, building the chemistry. Our forward line has been a bit more settled, (Jake) Stringer back in today.

"We'll take whatever opportunities are going to be there for us."