A steely Sydney have kept their season alive and raised questions about the Western Bulldogs’ AFL flag defence at the SCG.
The Swans outscored the Bulldogs in every quarter to log a 12.16 (88) to 6.6 (42) win on Thursday night.
It improved the Swans’ record to 4-7 and was their fourth win in the last five games.
It was a subdued performance by the normally fierce Bulldogs, whose record slipped to 6-5.
Sydney dominated the hitouts 65-16, tallied 17 more contested possessions, 32 more inside 50s and 41 more marks.
The Swans produced the relentless pressure demanded of them by coach John Longmire as they ended a run of four straight losses to the Bulldogs and won for just the second time in six SCG games this year.
It was the Bulldogs’ lowest score of the season and their biggest loss in almost a year.
The Swans got far more impact from their forwards with Lance Franklin kicking three goals and Sam Reid and Tom Papley both booting two.
At halftime Franklin had outscored the whole Bulldogs side, kicking 3.3 to the visitors’ 2.3.
Sydney fans might have wondered during the first half if their side’s profligacy would prove costly as at one stage they had kicked just 3.8.
The Bulldogs led just once, by one point, in the first quarter but rarely generated any fluency and penetration going forward against a determined Sydney.
Franklin was just one of three Sydney first-half goalkickers, and even he battled to hit the target, at one stage logging three straight behinds.
The Swans led by six, 23 and 29 points at the three breaks and the Bulldogs never got the deficit below 19 in the second half.
Some of the Bulldogs’ prime movers were hardly sighted in the first half, with Jake Stringer, Travis Cloke and Jason Johannisen logging just two, four and five touches respectively by halftime.
The Bulldogs’ accuracy improved markedly in the third quarter, kicking 4.0.
They twice kicked successive goals and got within 19 points, but Sydney still outscored them by six points in the quarter to take a 29-point buffer into the last term.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his side couldn’t match Sydney’s aggression and intensity.
“Tonight we absolutely weren’t anywhere where we need to be and the Sydney midfield took control of the game and we couldn’t find our way back,” he said.
“They had 71 entries and it just shows you that the other 12 players in the midfield and forward of the ball were just nowhere near the level they needed to be.”
Beveridge said the side was stagnating and struggling and he took responsibility for trying to reignite their campaign.
Longmire said he was happiest with his side’s pressure across the ground.
“We didn’t let up on it at all and we put the opposition under enormous pressure when they had the ball and that turned into 70-plus inside 50s,” he said.
“There’s no secrets to AFL footy, you’ve got to go harder for longer and our consistent pressure was pretty good.”
Former co-captain Kieren Jack dislocated fingers in his comeback match but pleased Longmire with his second-half efforts.
Robert K
Guest
thanks for the analysis mattyb, much appreciated insight regarding team selection
Bloodsman
Guest
Yes I agree. Simple really - just need to keep winning by bringing that trademark pressure every week. This is a big ask because the season is so long. I am certain this is why teams lose games we expect them to win!
mattyb
Guest
The dogs VFL side had a thrilling 4 point victory against the bombers and here's how some went.. Libba.. Was better,seemed to have an improved attitude.Had a bit of the ball without dominating like he probably should. Was certainly a class above with the few things he did,might come back next week but certainly not a certainly. Cordy..was BOG in my book. Played very aggressively,took some grabs and spoiled well. Swung into the forward line late in the third and kicked 3 goals including one after a towering mark with seconds to go. Will play seniors next week 100%. Williams..played really well. We should stop bringing him in and dropping him and give him an extended run. I like the way he keeps persisting though,would be a better option than Boyd and I expect another recall. Was good at dodging out of trouble on a number of occasions. Honeychurch...was pretty good. Spent the majority in the midfield,his first half was better than the second. Missed a couple of goals he should have kicked. A call up is possible. Campbell...was pretty good for a ruckman. Got a few kicks and took a lot of marks round the ground. Kicked the goal of the year in the first to go with his mark of the year last week. Seems to be in form and I wouldn't mind him coming back. Redpath..very poor,didn't lead enough and often ran under the high ball. The lighting wasn't perfect so maybe this had an effect. I doubt he'll come back this week based on that game. Webb...was good without being excellent. On par with Libba. Lynch...played really well and had some good run out of defence. Did some eye catching things which was good but could have got more of the ball. Hamilton..he's gone backwards again after showing very little earlier in the season which was better but still not very good. Can't see him playing and actually think he's in danger of being delisted. Collins...was ok and showed signs of troop marshalling. Didn't miss the ball while trying to kick for the second week in a row which is encouraging. Took some nice marks. Might come in but I doubt it,form is improving though. Would have been a great player 20 years ago and will have an interesting relationship with the fans if he becomes a regular. Lepinski..first game back from injury. Thought before the game he could be a dark horse as his early season form was really good. Might play before the seasons out but not next week Greene..went ok,doesn't get that much of it as usual but is a real live wire when he does. Young..played ok but not ready for senior football. So there you go. Like I said we will have to wait on Libba as he was good but not great. Cordy a certainly with Williams,Honeychurch and Campbell strong possibilities.
I ate pies
Guest
Yeah you may be right Birdman. No doubt the third man up rule has affected them, but I think it's more than that. The other teams have figured out how to beat their style, and Beveridge is no doubt trying to evolve the game plan, but it's just not working. The hawks remained on top for so long by tinkering with their plan each year; the onus is on Beveridge to come up with something that works.
Raimond
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs were absolutely terrible last night. I think it's nearly time to put a line through their chances this year I think.
I hate pies
Guest
Adams is out for the season? When he was drafted the rumour was that he's a bit brittle and injury prone; looks like they were right
Swannies
Guest
Don't write off the Swans just yet!
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - it is pretty simple, the "why he persists" implies he has been playing him for ages and he has been underperforming, he has played just 2 games so Bevo has hardly been "persisting". Secondly, as you yourself point out playing him is good for his development - the fact he didn't star as a first year ruckman in his first 2 games isn't at all surprising and the reason for Bevo "persisting" is pretty obvious - which means it is a harsh call to be complaining about his performance.
Macca
Guest
"The centre clearances are terrible and we need to return to last years set up." They are being beaten in the clearances, not just the centre clearances and it is a bit hard to go back to last years "set up" because they can no longer have Bontempelli go third man up. "I still consider us premiership favourites" Seriously? GWS are sitting top of the ladder and about to add Deledio into their side, Geelong beat you just a couple of weeks ago, Adelaide are the highest scoring team in the comp and at the half way point of the season you are a game and percentage outside the top 4 (top 5 if Port beat Adelaide) - you might still win the thing but how you come up with favourites is beyond me.
Macca
Guest
Yeah I'd agree they both delivered flags before their time - however Clarko's cluster is still being used in a mutated form today because it was more successful, easier to implement and play. I also agree the dogs aren't done just yet, but despite being premiers they have never achieved the same heights as the Hawks, Swans or Cats in terms of domination.
Birdman
Guest
fair enough point on Clarko's Cluster, Macca - my point (which I made poorly) is both game plans delivered flags 'before their time' before they were unpicked the following year. I'm not sure the Dogs are gone just yet but they will need to hit finals fresh to even have a chance to go back to back.
mattyb
Guest
IAP,looks like we agree in the most part. Firstly,as we have both agreed I feel I still need to say it one more time,Suckling is no good. Even his one trick is a myth because his kicking is shocking. I wasn't impressed when we took him and feel vindicated now unfortunately. He was nothing but a fringe player at Hawthorn and their success had nothing to do with him at all. Our forward entries have always been terrible,and this continues. Like I said,I'd like to see the Roughead/Campbell ruck with Boyd forward. The centre clearances are terrible and we need to return to last years set up. Bontempelli is spending to much time forward and Dahl to much time at the back of the square. Libba needs to get his act together also. It seems Jong and Daniel have been given more clearance responsibility and this is not working at all. McLean spent a bit of time in this role in the VFL so hopefully we can see this from him,he was ok there doing this so the club is thinking. We certainly miss Morris,one of the best players in the league and yes Boyd appears to have almost come to the end. Hunter is interesting as his stats don't seem to bad but they are painting an untrue picture, I think we will stick with him but he needs to lift. Looks like Adams is out for the season which is no good. I still consider us premiership favourites and have faith in Beveridge to a point. Picken has been poor I agree. Our decision to recruit Cloke was poor and we must right this off and move forward. Next week should be the first game we again come out hunting and I expect a huge improvement.
Macca
Guest
"is the Dog’s highly contested game now becoming Bevo’s version of Clarko’s Cluster?" When you look at it it hasn't been anywhere near as successful as Clarko's cluster - 21 wins from 33 home & away games with 7 of those 21 being by a margin of 10 points or less. When you throw in the physical intensity required to perform it and the relative youth of the side it isn't inconceivable to think it might be at an end.
Birdman
Guest
IAP, is the Dog's highly contested game now becoming Bevo's version of Clarko's Cluster? It's a decent point by you. Not taking anything away from the Swans, but it's the first time I've seen the Dogs 'phone it in' for a very long time - they looked exhausted.
mattyb
Guest
AdelaideDockers,I saw your blog last night so you did see the game. Could you please expand on that response as I'd be interested in your view. I found Roberts question very fair and deserving of a proper response. English,along with his teammates did not play well last night and any fair quesrion in this regard is hard to consider harsh.
mattyb
Guest
Good football question Robert. I'm of the belief the reasons English played was development,reserves form and Campbell. Premiiership aside this is still a young side. Coach Beveridge has shown he likes to give young players a bit of a taste before sending them back to develop on what they have seen. Englishs reserve form was excellent and did at least warrant consideration. At VFL level I did observe though he was excellent when given a free run at the ball while not so good when being 'bodied'. This has proven to be the case at AFL level and I'm left happy with this earlier analysis. The other ruckman Campbell at the time of Englishs selection was returning from injury himself and has been slowly working into it. I expect English to not play next week whether Tom Boyd is fit or not,or whether Campbell continues with his slowly improving form or not. Who takes his spot will depend on tonight's VFL game but I expect Campbell and Cordy to be in the early running as well as Boyd. I encourage you to have a look at my first hand VFL report following tonight's game for a glimpse at what is happening at the lower level and some insight into next weeks selection. English though has appeared a good thinker in what I've seen but last nights conditions and the excellent approach by Sydney at intimidating the dogs certainly did not suit English and he was certainly found wanting at this level for now. To make it at senior AFL football he certainly needs to put on some weight and improve his core strength. English also appears at this stage to struggle when resting forward at all levels and needs to develop his game in this area.
Macca
Guest
Especially for a ruckman
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
It's his second game! Bit harsh, don't you think?
Robert K
Guest
correction - Caleb Daniel
Robert K
Guest
I can't see why Bevo persists with Tim English - no kicks, a few handballs, a few hit outs (actually just weak first touches), a couple of tackles, slow moving ball watcher, no one plays to him it seems, maybe one mark (cannot recall exactly) and looks to be a slow thinker especially compared with Taleb Daniel for example