Picture Special: How Bulldogs won the AFL Grand Final 2016

IT was a Grand Final for the ages, and the day the Western Bulldogs broke through to grab a piece of their own unique history. SEE HOW THEY DID IT

Western Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood carries the treasured silverware around the MCG after his side’s famous win. Picture: Alex Coppel

IT was a fairytale finish for the Western Bulldogs when they clinched the 2016 premiership with a pulsating AFL Grand Final win over Sydney.

The Dogs waited 62 years to seal just their second ever premiership, and their first since 1954.

Here’s how it unfolded:

The Swans started brightly, with star Luke Parker kicking the opening goal of the game. Picture: Mark Stewart

Lance Franklin was a concern for the Swans but the Dogs didn’t care. When Tory Dickson swooped on a loose ball his side was out to a two-goal lead. Liam Picken added another shortly after. Picture: Colleen Petch.

But Swan Josh Kennedy was having a day out. He single-handedly dragged his team back into the contest, amassing more than 20 disposals and booting two first-half goals to give his team the lead at the main break. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Things got worse for the Swans at the start of the final term when Dan Hannebery suffered a knee injury. he would return to the field, but not at full capacity. Picture: Tim Carrafa

After an arm-wrestle in the third term, things were tight in the last quarter with the Swans reducing the margin to a point. But Liam Picken found space and drilled a goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Cometh the moment ... Tom Boyd played out of his skin on Saturday, his second half particularly outstanding. When he bounced through a 65m bomb, the Dogs were out to a 15-point lead and within touching distance of the cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

When Picken strolled into an open goal in the final minutes, it was game over and the Doggies had sealed their second-ever premiership. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The ecstasy of the final siren. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Yes boys, this is real. #bemorebulldog. Picture: David Crosling

Time to take the cup, but not before a special moment between coach Luke Beveridge, stand-in captain Easton Wood and Bob Murphy. Picture. Phil Hillyard

And there it is! Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The pain of defeat for the Swans was obvious, as shown by Kieren Jack, seen here with brother Brandon. Picture. Phil Hillyard

But for the Bulldogs, the party was just getting started. Picture: Michael Klein

’The Bont’ was popular with Bulldogs fans. Picture: David Caird

There’s no sweeter walk in footy than a victory lap of the MCG, as jake Stringer, Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore discovered. Picture: Alex Coppel

Then it was time to go back into the rooms, with Bob and Easton Wood carrying the cup. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Soak the coach. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty

Originally published as Picture Special: How Bulldogs won the AFL Grand Final 2016