The Western Bulldogs took a four-point win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday thanks a goal in the final seconds from Jason Johannisen.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Sydney Swans 11.13.79
Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
» What’s next? Follow our Carlton vs Collingwood live blog
The Sydney Swans will do battle with the Western Bulldogs at the SCG in a battle between two premiership contenders. Join The Roar from 4:35pm (AEST) for live coverage.
The Swans will be fit to go after the bye as they prepare to continue their strong season at the top of the ladder.
Sydney currently sit in second position behind only Hawthorn with a 10-3 record.
The midfield battle will be exciting with the Swans currently leading the league in contested possessions with an average of 166, while the Dogs sit in third with 153.
Sydney’s forward line will be rampant as usual with Lance Franklin the top priority for the Bulldogs defense to shut down.
They will also need to get off to a strong start to limit Buddy’s input with Jake Stringer requiring a big game up front to help stave off the Swans.
Stringer has been quiet for the Dogs in recent weeks scoring only six goals in his last five matches.
If he is able to find form, it will provide a massive boost for the visitors as they attempt to take down one of the AFL’s top teams with a win having the potential to push them into the top four if results go their way.
Prior to last week’s bye the Bulldogs received a hiding at the hands of Geelong with a 5.13.43 – 16.4.100 loss. Meanwhile the Swans drubbed Melbourne 12.14.86 – 4.7.31.
The Swans have dominated their last five meetings with four wins.
The Bulldogs’ only win from those five came during their most recent encounter with an 11.11.77 – 10.13.73 in Round 5 of last year at the SCG. It came after a fast start with five goals in the first quarter in torrential rain.
Prediction
Sydney will come home strong and get their fourth win in a row.
Swans by 18.
Join The Roar from 4:35pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
Big Dallo
Guest
Swans making a bit of a habit of loosing on the siren. There soft underbelly is being exposed. Time to harden up swans or your season will be defined by these really soft losses on the bell.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
» Click here for the full match report » What's next? Follow our Carlton vs Collingwood live blog That concludes The Roar's coverage of Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round, up next we're heading over to the MCG where I will take you through Carlton vs Collingwood from 7:25pm (AEST). Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations 3 - Luke Parker 2 - Marcus Bontempelli 1 - Lachie Hunter
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Disposals: 391 - 392 Kicks: 206 - 214 Handballs: 185 - 178 Free Kicks: 16 - 17 Clearances: 32 - 41 Inside 50: 53 - 56 Marks in 50: 14 - 8 Contested Possessions: 154 - 155 Tackles: 79 - 80 Hit-Outs: 33 - 49 Interchange: 89 - 85 Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Jason Johannisen has secured a win for the Bulldogs in a thriller at the SCG. It was a slow start to the game with low scoring in the first half. The first goal didn’t come until seven minutes in with Shane Biggs kicking a monster from the 50 for the ‘Dogs. Lance Franklin hit back nine minutes later from a set shot to level the scores at seven-all. The Swans blasted away with Jarrad McVeigh scoring for the home side in the 21st minute however, poor conversion attempts riddled them. A rusty first quarter saw Sydney go into the short break in front by nine points. The Bulldogs got a fast start to the second quarter taking the lead after Jake Stringer emerged following a quiet start to score two goals in as many minutes with Marcus Bontempelli following. Buddy soon changed momentum helping Luke Parker to a goal before taking two for himself to bring up fifty for the season. Jordan Roughead put the Bulldogs back in it before the break however, Callum Sinclair soon replied to put the Swans back in front by ten points at half-time. The Swans started the third quarter with a bang after Luke Parker sent the Sherrin through the sticks along the ground. The Bulldogs then went back in front with Jake Stringer, Jack Redpath, Tom Liberatore and Lin Jong all scoring as the visitors began to build pressure on the Swans. Luke Parker scored a goal against the tide to keep the Swans in an intense battle. Lachie Hunter hit back just minutes later with the Bulldogs in front by 13 points going into the final term. It was a slow start to the final quarter before Will Minson found a goal in the eighth minute. It then inspired the Swans who came back firing with a goal to George Hewett and a double for Lance Franklin in the space of four minutes. There were just two points in it right down until the end before Jason Johannisen took a mark inside 50 with two seconds remaining to bury the Swans and get the win. The Bulldogs now move into equal second following a four-point win over Sydney. Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Bulldogs are home by four points! What a game! Match report, statistics and MVP Nominations to come. Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JASON JOHANNISEN Q4 28' Johannisen with the mark inside 50, he gets it. Bulldogs win! Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 27' Redpath with a shot on goal, misses. Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 12.5.77
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 25' Roughead rushes the behind. Three points in it, three minutes to go. Sydney Swans 11.13.79 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 24' We're coming down to the final few minutes now. Sydney Swans 11.12.78 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 20' Bulldogs turning over too much possession in the midfield. McVeigh gets it but only manages to come away with a behind. Sydney Swans 11.12.78 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 16' Ten minutes remaining. We are set for a thrilling finish! Sydney Swans 11.11.77 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! LANCE FRANKLIN Q4 14' Buddy takes the mark in front and gets another. The Swans are back in front! Sydney Swans 11.11.77 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! LANCE FRANKLIN Q4 12' What a kick from Buddy! He puts the Swans within five. Sydney Swans 10.11.71 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! GEORGE HEWETT Q4 10' Hewett kicks it and the Swans are still in it Sydney Swans 9.11.65 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 8' Minson with the free kick, he slots it through Sydney Swans 8.11.59 Western Bulldogs 12.4.76
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 7' Parker hits the post Sydney Swans 8.11.59 Western Bulldogs 11.4.70
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 6' Towers brings it around, rushed. Sydney Swans 8.10.58 Western Bulldogs 11.4.70
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Q4 0' The final term is underway. 13 points in it. Let's get going! Sydney Swans 8.9.57 Western Bulldogs 11.4.70
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
END THIRD QUARTER The Swans started the third quarter with a bang after Luke Parker sent the Sherrin through the sticks along the ground. The Bulldogs then went back in front with Jake Stringer, Jack Redpath, Tom Liberatore and Lin Jong all scoring as the visitors began to build pressure on the Swans. Luke Parker scored a goal against the tide to keep the Swans in an intense battle. Lachie Hunter hit back just minutes later with the Bulldogs in front by 13 points going into the final term. Sydney Swans 8.9.57 Western Bulldogs 11.4.70