By Joanna Guelas
The Western Bulldogs’ finals hopes are well and truly alive after a stunning win over Sydney has seen them surge into the top eight.
Holding the ladder-leading Swans to just one point in the first quarter, the Bulldogs led at every break to claim a comprehensive 12.15 (87) to 7.6 (48) win in windy conditions at the SCG.
The Western Bulldogs have stormed into the top eight.Credit: Getty Images
Inside the top eight for the first time since round six, Luke Beveridge’s side have usurped Essendon to sit eighth on the ladder with four rounds of the home-and-away season left.
Beveridge said it was an important win, given the Swans had been setting the benchmark this season.
“It’s really pleasing, we’ve had a really good period, we’ve had some important wins,” he said.
“In the scheme of things we are pretty content with the afternoon.
“It’s really tight and our experience over the last couple of years in particular, probably been a bit fragile this time of year, where we’ve dropped a game or two.
“We are a different version of ourselves this year, we’ve evolved.”
The Bulldogs smashed Sydney in contested possession, 162-135, and were able to score freely with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicking four goals for the second week running.
After a statement win over Geelong at home last week, the Bulldogs stepped up again to mark themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Key defender Liam Jones (11 intercept possessions) was outstanding for the Bulldogs after making a speedy recovery from a knee injury, while usual stars Adam Treloar - with a game-high 40 possessions - Ugle-Hagan (four goals) and Tom Liberatore (22 possessions, eight clearances) shone in their roles.
Tim English gets away from Isaac Heeney.Credit: Getty Images
Sydney, for so long the premiership favourites, have now lost four of their last five games and face a growing injury list.
Already missing livewire forward Tom Papley, defensive veteran Dane Rampe and midfielders Justin Rowbottom and Justin McInerney, the Swans will be sweating on the fitness of Lewis Melican and Will Hayward after Sunday’s heavy defeat.
Key defender Melican was subbed out with a right hamstring injury in the second quarter before star goalkicker Hayward went to the rooms with an ankle injury in the final term.
Hayward had already aggravated his ankle in Sydney’s two-point loss to Brisbane last round.
Tom Liberatore celebrates with fans.Credit: Getty Images
The visitors brought the heat from the first siren, kicking five goals to Sydney’s one behind in the opening term to build a 34-point lead.
Hayward opened the scoring in the second term for the Swans with a bouncing shot at goal before Hayden McLean added another but a forced reshuffle of their defence following Melican’s injury allowed the Bulldogs to reclaim any lost ground.
Swans key forward Logan McDonald was thrown down back as Ugle-Hagan inflicted more pain with two goals alongside Lachie McNeil’s one major in the third term.
In the end, the hosts were emphatically outworked in the contest despite the efforts of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden, trailing on clearances 30 to 40, on inside-50s by 47 to 61, and 135 to 162 for contested possessions.
Defender Matt Roberts was a shining light for the Swans, kicking one goal, taking 36 touches and 10 intercept possessions.
Beveridge said there was an evenness to his team right down the ground, with a strong defence helping on the rebound.
“It’s encouraging the boys are repelling some forays from the opposition and it means our team can anticipate that,” he said.
“With four games left we can only look towards Melbourne on Friday night who will be a huge challenge for us on a really short turnaround for us.”
Sydney will next face fellow premiership contenders Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, while the Western Bulldogs have winnable games against the Dees, Adelaide and North Melbourne to come before what could be a finals preview last up against Greater Western Sydney.