The Western Bulldogs unveiled two excitement machines in 18-year-old pair Malcolm Lynch and rookie Jarrod Harbrow as they downed a virtual Sydney reserves side by 27 points in their NAB Cup opener in Canberra on Saturday.
Lynch and Harbrow booted four goals between them as the Dogs beat a Sydney side that featured 12 players yet to play a senior AFL game - 1.12.16 (97) to 1.9.7 (70) - in blustery conditions at Manuka Oval.
On a day when all eyes were on the Bulldogs' boom recruit Jason Akermanis, it was Lynch and Harbrow who stole the show although there was also plenty for the Swans to take out of the match with some of their youngsters also impressing, particularly key forward Jesse White.
While Akermanis showed flashes of brilliance on his debut, he was well held in the second half by Swans' rookie Kieren Jack, the son of former rugby league great Garry, who showed great composure in shutting down Akermanis after having been one of four players recently named for betting on AFL matches.
Akermanis actually had the opening touch of the game and almost goaled after six minutes, but it wasn't long before the Bulldogs assumed control with former Eagle Andrew McDougall snapping a great early goal as he made a promising debut for the Bulldogs.
But it was young aboriginal forward Lynch, who already looks a bargain having been taken at pick 66 in last year's NAB AFL National Draft, who was the star of the show with three goals.
Rookie Harbrow, who moved from Cairns to Victoria last year to give himself a better chance of being drafted, also showed great skill and composure on his debut and kicked a goal as well as setting up a vital goal for Lynch on the three-quarter-time siren.
Both sides were missing a host of big name players but the Dogs had more of their senior players on display and the poise of players such as skipper Brad Johnson, Matthew Robbins, Ryan Griffen and Daniel Cross proved crucial as the Swans lacked experienced bodies.
However, it was far from doom and gloom for last year's beaten grand finalists who looked to have found two more good players in 19-year-old White, who kicked three goals and at 196cm and 98kg already has a mature body, and fellow teenager Jonathan Simpkin, who won plenty of the ball in midfield.
The only downside for the Swans was a knee injury to Nick Malceski, while Bulldog youngster Farren Ray was reported in the dying minutes under the AFL's new crackdown on front-on bumps.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.3.6, 1.4.13, 1.7.15, 1.12.16 (97)SYDNEY: 0.2.0, 0.3.3, 0.6.3, 1.9.7 (70)NINE POINT GOALS: Bulldogs: HarrisSydney: KirkSIX POINT GOALS: Bulldogs: Lynch 3, Johnson 2, Robbins 2, McDougall, Baird, Griffen, Harbrow, HigginsSydney: White 3, Richards 2, Kirk, Rowe, Davis, CurrieBEST: Bulldogs: Lynch, Cross, McDougall, Griffen, Harbrow, Gilbee, Minson
Sydney: Richards, White, O'Keefe, Kirk, Simpkin, JackINJURIES: Bulldogs: Wight (corked thigh)Sydney: Malceski (knee)REPORTS: Ray (Bulldogs) for rough conduct on Bevan (Sydney) in the final quarterCROWD: 5,567 at Manuka Oval, Canberra
