The Western Bulldogs have suffered defeat to Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.

An early Swans’ surge meant the Bulldogs were left to chase their tails all night, eventually going down 17.18 (120) to 9.13 (67) in the Harbour City.

It was an opening term to forget for the visitors, conceding the first five goals, before Cody Weightman was able to stem the bleeding with a clever snap from close range.

Jason Johannisen converted for the Dogs’ second late in the term, but heading into quarter-time 37 points down needed to find a spark.

To the Dogs’ credit, the second quarter was much-improved – levelling up around the contest to offer some better looks at goal.

Weightman, Aaron Naughton and Marcus Bontempelli helped peg the margin back to 29 points at the main break, but Sydney was quick to respond in the third.

Reaching a game-high 57-point deficit with a quarter and a half to play, time started to play a factor as the Bulldogs struggled to stop the Swans’ run and transition.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton added one each either side of three quarter-time to close the gap to 42 points, but it was ultimately too big a buffer as Sydney ran out 53-point winners.

Adam Treloar (32 disposals, five marks) and Jack Macrae (26 disposals, four tackles) found plenty of the footy, while Tim English (13 disposals, 27 hit-outs, one goal) was impactful in his return.

Josh Dunkley battled hard in the middle, registering 10 clearances to go with 17 touches and five tackles, while Tom Liberatore and Marcus Bontempelli tried to inspire.

Anthony Scott was ruled out with concussion on the eve of half-time, with Robbie McComb activated as the medical substitute.

The Bulldogs will next face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in a weeks’ time.

SYDNEY                                7.8      9.11      15.15      17.18 (120)
WESTERN BULLDOGS           2.1      5.6          8.8          9.13 (67)

GOALS  
Sydney: Heeney 4, Amartey 2, Franklin 2, Papley 2, Warner 2, Clarke, Hayward, Mills, Rowbottom, Stephens
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, Weightman 2, Bontempelli, English, Johannisen, Schache, Ugle-Hagan

BEST  
Sydney: Papley, Heeney, Reid, Warner, Franklin, Mills, Lloyd
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Macrae, Treloar, Naughton  

INJURIES  
Sydney: Ladhams (thumb)
Western Bulldogs: Scott (concussion)

LATE CHANGES 
Sydney: Braeden Campbell replaced in selected side by Ryan Clarke
Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
Sydney: Harry Cunningham (replaced Ladhams in the second quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Robbie McComb (replaced Scott in the second quarter)