It's been 14 years since the Western Bulldogs last played on May 14, but there was a six-year period in the early 2000s when the Dogs ‘owned’ the date, thanks to three of their greats, Chris Grant, Brad Johnson and Daniel Giansiracusa.

The Bulldogs' brilliant May 14 run began on this day 20 years ago when they ‘hosted’ the Sydney Swans in a ‘home’ game at the SCG.  And the Dogs demonstrated that they were as much at home — if not more — than the Swans at the Sydney venue with a fine performance.

In a high-scoring first term the two sides combined to kick 11 goals with the Bulldogs taking a seven-point lead into quarter-time break, but in the second quarter the Dogs stamped their authority on the contest with a seven-goal blitz to open up a 30-point lead at half time.

The Dogs went on with the job in the second half, extending the margin to 46 at the final change, and they made it four winning quarters by outscoring Sydney three goals to one in the last quarter. This capped off a dominant 58-point win, giving 19-year-old debutant Mitch Hahn a winning start to his career.

Grant was the Bulldogs' leading light, kicking seven goals and getting the maximum three Brownlow votes, while Johnson picked up a game-high 31 touches and kicked a goal.  Scott West, on his way to a runner-up Brownlow Medal finish, had 26 touches to continue a fine personal season for him.

Giansiracusa was still a year away from making his AFL debut on that day in 2000, but five years to the day later it was his turn to put on a football masterclass.  The Dogs were back home at Telstra Dome but playing ‘away’ to North Melbourne, and they struggled in the first half, with North opening up an 11-point lead at the long break.

But the Dogs exploded in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to two to lead by three goals heading into the final quarter, and they went on with the job to win by 26 points.

‘Gia’ was superb, his 23-possession four-goal game earning him best-on-ground honours.  Grant was still a strong contributor, kicking two majors in game number 303, as did Brad Johnson in another solid performance.

Fast forward a further 12 months and, in a genuine away match, ‘Johnno’, Giansiracusa and Grant all combined to put Port Adelaide to the sword at Football Park.  The Bulldogs set the tone from the very start, kicking seven goals to one in the first term, and they increased their lead in each succeeding quarter to record a commanding 76-point victory.

Johnson was dominant, gathering 23 possessions and kicking four majors in a three-vote performance, Giansiracusa — by now a 94-game ‘veteran’ — was awarded one vote for his 36-disposal effort, and Bob Murphy (20 touches, one goal) earned two votes.  And Grant was still doing his bit, kicking two goals to go with his 17 possessions in his 319th AFL match. 

Three games, three great wins and three fine individual efforts from a great number 3, Chris Grant, helped make May 14 a very enjoyable date for the Doggies in the early 2000s.