The Western Bulldogs have fallen to Sydney by 14 points on Thursday night in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

A late surge saw the hosts cut the deficit to just eight points late, but ultimately couldn't stop the Swans' run in the 16.6 (102) to 12.16 (88) at Marvel Stadium.

The Dogs were brave to the end despite losing key forward Aaron Naughton (knee) and in-form midfielder Ed Richards (concussion) early in the game.

The Swans, who got out to a 30-point lead midway through the final quarter, attempted to ice the clock but the Dogs had other ideas as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (six marks, three goals) put them back within eight points with six minutes remaining.

But a 50m penalty paid to Hayden McLean just as the Bulldogs threatened to snatch it put an end to the comeback.

Richards was dominant for the home side in the opening half, breaking through packs and neatly directing the ball inside 50, but a head clash early in the third quarter, which subsequently ruled him out for the game, saw momentum swing the Swans' way.

The Dogs' pain was compounded with Anthony Scott (concussion) and Naughton also ruled out through the game. Despite having depleted stocks, the Dogs never stopped pushing.

They owned large patches, applying oppressive, suffocating pressure to maintain possession in the front half and exploit the height advantage the likes of Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy had over Sydney's keys.

Turning that field position into a damaging score proved more difficult, however, with the side kicking 12 goals from 28 scores.

Speed from the restart was the Dogs' best friend, led initially by defender-turned-midfielder Richards, sending the ball high inside 50 to dominate the aerial contest, and then driven by the likes of Adam Treloar (30 disposals, six clearances) and late inclusion Ryley Sanders (20 disposals, six tackles).

It forced the Swans' defenders into panicked ball use and poor decision making, allowing the Dogs repeat opportunities on goal.

There was a concerted focus on defending the corridor from the Dogs, preventing Sydney from using its aggressive end-to-end transition that has allowed it to shoot up the ladder this year.

It was largely effective, but when the Swans did break through, the attacking ball use was devastating. 

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back against Collingwood next Friday night at Marvel Stadium. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS             4.3    7.8    8.11   12.16 (88)
SYDNEY                                   4.1    7.4    12.6   16.6 (102)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 3, Garcia 2, Darcy, English, Naughton, West, Vandermeer, Harmes, Gallagher
Sydney: Warner 4, Amartey 2, Hayward 2, McLean 2, Papley, Gulden, McDonald, Wicks, Adams, Heeney

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, West, Richards
Sydney: Warner, Gulden, Grundy, McInerney, Heeney, Blakey

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Scott (head clash), Naughton (right knee), Richards (head knock)
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES 
Western Bulldogs: Ryley Sanders (replaced Anthony Scott in the first quarter)
Sydney: Matt Roberts (replaced Aaron Francis in the final quarter)

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: James O'Donnell (illness) replaced in selected side by Ryley Sanders
Sydney: Nil

Crowd: 27,377 at Marvel Stadium.