WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has hailed his side’s 40-point win over the Sydney Swans in Canberra as a great win for the club.

The Dogs won 18.9 (117) to 12.5 (77) after a stellar 40 minutes through the first and second terms saw them kick 13 goals to a single behind.

The Dogs took their foot off the pedal after the long break and were outscored 10 goals to five in the second half, but the game was well over by half-time.

“It was a great win – if you said before the game we were going to win by seven goals, you’d probably be surprised”, he said.

“I thought our effort all day was terrific ... to be able to come up here and win like that was fantastic.

Eade was delighted with the four points as it helps the Bulldogs get a break on the group of teams sitting on five wins, and said the second quarter return of eight goals to none was set up by the effort in the first quarter.

“I think the first quarter set it up – there was a bit of wind going to the bottom end, and I thought that first quarter set the scene with our pressure and our ability to at least neutralise the tight ball, even if we didn’t win it.

“Then obviously in the second quarter we were able to split them open with some run.”

Tom Williams was a late withdrawal for the Dogs with a plantar fascia injury that kept him out. The injury became famous when Robert Harvey deliberately snapped his troublesome fascia by jumping off a chair until it broke.

“He ripped his plantar fascia three weeks ago, and just had some threads hanging on, and that went on Thursday,” Eade said.

“We brought him up with the thought he’d be able to play, but it was still just a bit sore ... he’ll certainly be available next week.”