The Western Bulldogs have slipped to their fourth defeat of 2021, after being overrun by a slick Sydney Swans outfit at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was the visitors who led for most of the day on their way to a 19-point victory, 11.13 (79) to 8.12 (60).
Little separated the sides in a frenetic opening half.
The Swans led by a goal at quarter time and extended that to 11 points with a major on the stroke of half time.
From there they continued to edge ahead, restricting the Bulldogs to just three goals in the second half.
The Bulldogs controlled the clearances (46-26) but it was on the outside where the Swans made them pay with leg speed and swift, accurate ball movement.
They controlled the game by foot, racking up 123 marks to the hosts’ 67, and led the uncontested possession count by 37.
In comparison, the Bulldogs were unable to move the ball with their usual efficiency – which was down six per cent on their season average, from 76 per cent to just 70.1 per cent on the day.
Caleb Daniel was the Bulldogs’ best, collecting a team-high 30 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.
He found support around the ball from Marcus Bontempelli (27 disposals) and Bailey Smith (27 disposals), with Jack Macrae (25 disposals) and Tom Liberatore (18 disposals) unable to get their hands on the footy as much as in recent weeks.
Tim English was the best of the Bulldogs’ big men, finishing with 22 disposals, 21 hit-outs, eight marks and a goal. Tom Hickey won the honours in the hit-outs, however English was influential around the ball and when pushing forward.
In defence, Taylor Duryea (18 disposals, eight marks) denied the Swans access to goal repeatedly – particularly in the first half – Alex Keath restricted Swans star Lance Franklin to just one goal, while Bailey Dale’s 27 disposals helping to drive the Bulldogs out of defence.
Number one pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan showed glimpses on debut and finished with seven disposals.
The loss will see the Bulldogs finish the round in second spot on the AFL ladder – one game behind Melbourne and level on points with the third-placed Geelong Cats.
They will turn their attention to the in-form Gold Coast Suns, who they will face next Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.2 5.5 6.6 8.12 (60)
SYDNEY SWANS 4.2 7.4 9.8 11.13 (79)
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Bruce, Daniel, English, Richards, Scott, B. Smith, Wallis, Young
Sydney Swans: Dawson 3, Hayward 2, Amartey, Bell, Florent, Franklin, Heeney, Parker
Best
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, English, Duryea, Bontempelli, Keath, B. Smith
Sydney Swans: Mills, Dawson, Lloyd, McCartin, Parker, Hickey
