A season-high 96 not out to skipper Jake Best was the catalyst for the Swans to chase down Essendon's 6-231 in a high-quality affair.

Best had struggled this season since taking over the captaincy but finally struck form, hitting 12 boundaries in his 131-ball innings.

Opener Rohan Blandford (70 from 93) combined for a 115-run stand with Best to lay the foundation and, despite a middle-order collapse of 4-16, the Swans sneaked home in the 49th over.

The Swans were boosted by the return of Victorian representative Jayde Herrick for the clash. The fiery paceman snared 1-29 from his 10 overs.

Ash Perera took 2-46 and, in a surprise move, spinner Clive Rose took the new ball and bowled lucklessly to finish with 0-42 from his 10 overs.

Herrick said it was good to return to the Swans after becoming an integral member of the Bushrangers side this summer.

"It's good to be back with the boys - I've been there for four years now, so I have a lot of mates there," he said.

"I bowled pretty well and didn't have much luck, but we restricted them to a score that we could chase and then batted well."

Herrick said Best's knock was the key to the Swans' win. "He batted really well and it was a bit disappointing that he didn't get his 100, but he did the team thing and got us over the line."

Herrick said playing for the Bushrangers had fast-tracked his development since making his debut last summer.

"It has been fantastic and a great time and successful and I couldn't be happier with how it is going. I've definitely taken another couple of steps in my cricket journey and I'm better for it."

Herrick is aligned with Big Bash team Melbourne Renegades but was overlooked for the clash against the Melbourne Stars on Saturday night.

He is likely to be considered for their next match on Thursday night against Brisbane Heat but is keen to play for the Swans on Saturday. "Depending on Thursday I should be there," he said.

Casey-South Melbourne held on for a seven-run win in the seconds after making 6-242 against Essendon with Dimitri Deane (62) top-scoring. The Swans also won the third grade clash after chasing down Essendon's 8-208 with the loss of just four wickets. Essendon defeated the Swans in the fourths by 100 runs.

Casey-South Melbourne takes on Ringwood in a two-day fixture at Russell Lucas Oval starting on

Saturday.