Turf war: State of SCG surface under fire as Dogs fire in Bontempelli’s 250th

AFL great Jonathan Brown has questioned how the league can allow the SCG to host its next match due to the state of its “disgraceful” surface.

Brown described the condition of the SCG as “dangerous for players” during the Western Bulldogs’ win over the Sydney Swans on Friday night.

Aaron Francis of the Swans is challenged by Cooper Hynes of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brown asked his fellow commentators how the AFL can allow the ground to host another game while in this condition.

The surface was reportedly damaged after hosting an Andrea Bocelli concert in early April.

The Swans are due to host Fremantle at the SCG next Sunday [July 6] but Brown asked how they can happen if the surface remains like it was tonight.

“That was dangerous for players,” Brown said on Fox Footy.

“I saw a teammate in Brad Scott miss a grand final because of that [surface] at Colonial Stadium [now Marvel Stadium] when he broke his leg.

“Players tonight looked like they were in dangerous, vulnerable situations.”

Jason Dunstall said there may not be a quick fix for the ground either.

“You can’t just wave a magic wand [to fix it] - hopefully they will get a couple of good weeks of weather,” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

Dogs celebrate Bont milestone with tense win over Swans

The Western Bulldogs have given their AFL finals hopes another shot in the arm with an entertaining nine-point win over Sydney.

Joel Freijah kicked four goals as the Bulldogs seized control early and resisted a strong Swans fightback to post the 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) victory at the SCG on Friday night.

Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates victory and is chaired from the field by Aaron Naughton and Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was the Bulldogs’ third-straight win and improved their record to 9-6, solidifying their spot in the top eight, while the Swans (6-9) face an uphill battle to play finals.

Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli (18 disposals, one goal) celebrated his 250-game milestone but was upstaged by his protege Freijah, who kicked a career-best four majors from 23 touches.

Key forwards Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton.added three goals each against an undersized Sydney defence, who lost Tom McCartin (illness) before the bounce and Dane Rampe (calf tightness) mid-game.

Swans superstar Isaac Heeney threatened to drag his side over the line with five goals and ruckman Brodie Grundy was outstanding after quarter-time.

Tom Papley lit a fuse when he targeted Darcy before the bounce and the Bulldogs’ spearhead responded with the first two goals of the match.

Both were teed up by Tim English, who had three goal assists in the first term alone, and the Dogs led 4.2 to 3.5 after term one.

Darcy’s brilliant finish on the run kick-started the second quarter and another two goals from Naughton helped the visitors skip 28 points clear before the main break.

But the Swans, despite a series of bad misses from set shots, hit back with three consecutive majors to trim the margin to nine points by halftime.

Sydney’s Heeney and the Bulldogs’ Freijah lit up the third quarter at opposite ends - kicking four goals and three respectively - and the lead changed hands six times as the teams repeatedly traded blows.

At one point the Dogs kicked four consecutive goals to reassert their authority, but Heeney’s fourth meant the teams kicked 6.1 apiece in a rollicking third term.

The contest became an arm-wrestle in the final quarter and the Bulldogs hung on, with Hayden McLean blowing a late change to set up a grandstand finish.

McLean’s miss with about one minute left continued the trend of the night, with the wayward Swans kicking 4.10 from set shots to the Dogs’ 8.5.

Sydney swingman Aaron Francis faces scrutiny over a swinging arm to Lachie Bramble’s body.

Francis and direct opponent Rory Lobb can also expect fines over their prolonged wrestling match in the final term.

With AAP

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Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge didn’t make a big deal about Marcus Bontempelli’s 250th game before his club’s clash with Sydney Swans on Friday night.

But he explained it meant plenty to him and his players to win for their superstar.

Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs is congratulated by Tom Liberatore after playing his 250th game.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s great to be able to celebrate a win for a man who has been such a trailblazer and significant figure in our football club both on and off the field,” Beveridge said post game.

“It’s a privilege to work with all the players but when you think of Marcus as an AFL dignitary and what sort of person he is.

“He is a once-in-a-generation type player, so we pay tribute to him and I’m glad for him and that leaves a pretty sweet taste in his mouth.”

Sydney coach Dean Cox admits his side’s poor goal kicking is costing them dearly after kicking just three goals, eight behinds from set shots in their loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Goal kicking has been an issue for the Swans for parts of this season and Cox said it had to change.

Swans head coach Dean Cox speaks to players.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“The last two weeks it has been an issue. 3.8 from set shots tonight,” Cox said.

“It’s something we need to train for, but we need to make sure we are taking shots from decent parts of the ground to make sure we can maximise that.

“When we do get our chances, we need to take control and execute.”

Cox said the SCG surface had its challenges but he couldn’t do much to change that.

“There’s been some challenges with the surface throughout the year but I’m looking at other things, things I can try and control,” Cox said.

The Swans won’t give up on their finals chances but Cox said he couldn’t look beyond next game.

“I can’t look too far ahead at the moment,” Cox said.

“We’ve got Fremantle coming up, who have won four or five straight games. We have to quell their influence and we can’t look past that.”

Dane Rampe was subbed off in the second half with a calf injury and Cox said it was precautionary as the medical staff feared Rampe could do more damage if he went back on the ground.

Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli played his 250th game in tonight’s win over the Sydney Swans but this game could well be remembered as Joel Freijah’s breakout game.

The 19-year-old Horsham native has yet to pass 30 games but his four-goal, 23-disposal performance turned the game in his club’s favour.

Joel Freijah of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“To have Joel do what he did, you see glimpses during the course of the year but today was the game where you go geez he is a really influential player and going to be a really strong contender for us in the future,” Bontempelli told Fox Footy.

Bontempelli loved what he saw, including the decision to move Freijah into a more attacking midfield role.

“That was a move from Bevo,” Bontempelli told Fox Footy.

“He felt like the middle of the ground was more stable, so he positioned him in there as he is a great runner and great finisher, so we wanted him to get up and get back. You want him with the ball in time and space. It countered what Isaac Heeney was doing.”

Tom Liberatore spoke to Channel Seven post game.

That was a very taxing and physical game. Something tells me you love those types of matches?

Yes. Credit to them. Had a good few weeks. Obviously, they came out hard. A few scuffles as well. Yeah, always nice to play them but, yes, credit to how they approached the game. But also credit to how we held on.

Callum Mills of the Swans tackles Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

You got to be part of the chair-off for Marcus Bontempelli, 250 games. You have played 182 games next to him. Must be special to share the field with him.

Yes, it is. Really grateful to have him as captain and as a teammate. Yes, to chair him off and to run out with him every week, pretty special. Yes, everyone stands tall with him.

He made you work hard with Naughton on the other side.

Yes, the synergy there was way off. I think I stood too far forward but I think I stood too far forward but I will work on that later.

Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton admits the SCG surface was a challenge to play on tonight.

“You couldn’t really push off too much without slipping over, so you had to be careful with your footing,” Naughton told Fox Footy when asked about the ground.

“Both teams had to play in it but it was tricky at times.”

AFL great Jonathan Brown has questioned how the league can allow the SCG to host its next match due to the state of its “disgraceful” surface.

Brown described the condition of the SCG as “dangerous for players” during the Western Bulldogs’ win over the Sydney Swans on Friday night.

Aaron Francis of the Swans is challenged by Cooper Hynes of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brown asked his fellow commentators how the AFL can allow the ground to host another game while in this condition.

The surface was reportedly damaged after hosting an Andrea Bocelli concert in early April.

The Swans are due to host Fremantle at the SCG next Sunday [July 6] but Brown asked how they can happen if the surface remains like it was tonight.

“That was dangerous for players,” Brown said on Fox Footy.

“I saw a teammate in Brad Scott miss a grand final because of that [surface] at Colonial Stadium [now Marvel Stadium] when he broke his leg.

“Players tonight looked like they were in dangerous, vulnerable situations.”

Jason Dunstall said there may not be a quick fix for the ground either.

“You can’t just wave a magic wand [to fix it] - hopefully they will get a couple of good weeks of weather,” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

Dogs celebrate Bont milestone with tense win over Swans

The Western Bulldogs have given their AFL finals hopes another shot in the arm with an entertaining nine-point win over Sydney.

Joel Freijah kicked four goals as the Bulldogs seized control early and resisted a strong Swans fightback to post the 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) victory at the SCG on Friday night.

Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates victory and is chaired from the field by Aaron Naughton and Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was the Bulldogs’ third-straight win and improved their record to 9-6, solidifying their spot in the top eight, while the Swans (6-9) face an uphill battle to play finals.

Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli (18 disposals, one goal) celebrated his 250-game milestone but was upstaged by his protege Freijah, who kicked a career-best four majors from 23 touches.

Key forwards Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton.added three goals each against an undersized Sydney defence, who lost Tom McCartin (illness) before the bounce and Dane Rampe (calf tightness) mid-game.

Swans superstar Isaac Heeney threatened to drag his side over the line with five goals and ruckman Brodie Grundy was outstanding after quarter-time.

Tom Papley lit a fuse when he targeted Darcy before the bounce and the Bulldogs’ spearhead responded with the first two goals of the match.

Both were teed up by Tim English, who had three goal assists in the first term alone, and the Dogs led 4.2 to 3.5 after term one.

Darcy’s brilliant finish on the run kick-started the second quarter and another two goals from Naughton helped the visitors skip 28 points clear before the main break.

But the Swans, despite a series of bad misses from set shots, hit back with three consecutive majors to trim the margin to nine points by halftime.

Sydney’s Heeney and the Bulldogs’ Freijah lit up the third quarter at opposite ends - kicking four goals and three respectively - and the lead changed hands six times as the teams repeatedly traded blows.

At one point the Dogs kicked four consecutive goals to reassert their authority, but Heeney’s fourth meant the teams kicked 6.1 apiece in a rollicking third term.

The contest became an arm-wrestle in the final quarter and the Bulldogs hung on, with Hayden McLean blowing a late change to set up a grandstand finish.

McLean’s miss with about one minute left continued the trend of the night, with the wayward Swans kicking 4.10 from set shots to the Dogs’ 8.5.

Sydney swingman Aaron Francis faces scrutiny over a swinging arm to Lachie Bramble’s body.

Francis and direct opponent Rory Lobb can also expect fines over their prolonged wrestling match in the final term.

With AAP

The Dogs found a way to win in Sydney in Marcus Bontempelli’s 250th game.

The players are running to their superstar leader, or jogging as they are all pretty exhausted.

More to come.

Lachlan Bramble of the Bulldogs kicks the ball.Credit: Getty Images

Hayden McLean took a mark 35m from goal with 80 seconds to go.

He went back but his shot hit the post.

That should be it for the Swans.