Sydney Cricket Ground, Paddington, Sydney Australia
On a day when Australia voted and ended up with a hung parliament, there was another cliffhanger that was just as dramatic and spectacular, but a result finalized. The winners were the Western Bulldogs by a thrilling 4 point margin over the Sydney Swans. Incredibly it was the same margin the Bulldogs won by last year when they visited the SCG. Jason Johannisen sealed the game in dramatic fashion after he received a chip kick from Marcus Bontempelli seconds before the final siren. Bontempelli was within goal range, but gambled and passed to Johannisen who, from just inside the 50 metre arc, slotted home the match-winner in what has to be one of the games of the 2016 AFL season.
No time for celebration “3 seconds left boys!” barks Bulldogs runner Mathew Innes (no: 35 in Pink) Photo: Jodie Newell
The Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs were returning to their first AFL game after the mid-season bye and it would be interesting to see if the break would have had much effect of the freshness of the teams. Doubts were quickly dispelled as both teams fought hard for the ball in the contest. The Bulldogs had 5 new players added to their line-up including gun midfielder in Jason Johannisen. Johannisen had missed 10 weeks of football and was an immediately making an impact for his team, getting several touches.
Under the Pump. Bulldog Jack Redpath (middle) feels the heat of the Swans defense. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Dogs pressed forward early and had some 10 Inside 50 metres to Sydney’s 4 but were unable to capitalize fully on their efforts. Shane Biggs of the Western Bulldogs scored the first goal of the game and they looked threatening. The Swans midfielders, particularly Luke Parker were having an early influence on the game. It was thanks to him and others that the Swans were able to get the ball to Lance Franklin who kicked their first goal.It would take another 6 minutes before Sydney were able to kick another goal.The Western Bulldogs and the Swans were hard at the contest and locked up many plays. Jarrad McVeigh was able to break the pattern and kicked Sydney’s second goal.The Swans kicked two more behinds. One of those behinds could have been a certain goal if Lance Franklin had decided to handball to an open teammate goal side in Ben McGlynn. Instead Franklin elected to take a shot and missed. In such a tight contest, it could have been the difference at the end.
The Package. Dynamic Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer breaking through. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Western Bulldogs started the 2nd quarter in stunning fashion with Jake Stringer booting the first 2 goals, then Marcus Bontempelli chiming in and the Dogs had the lead. Sydney had to respond and again Luke Parker stepped up and kicked a goal. Lance Franklin mirrored Jake Stringer’s efforts and booted 2 quick goals. The pace of the game was being stepped up a notch.In the midfield, Bulldogs Lachie Hunter and Liam Picken were getting plenty of the football, whilst for Sydney Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery were in the contest as well.The Swans went into the sheds at half-time with a hard earned 10 point lead.
Sydney’s Gary Rohan in the clear. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Western Bulldogs began the 3rd quarter in a similar fashion as the 2nd but with an extra level of intensity. Whilst Luke Parker kicked the first goal for Sydney, the Bulldogs were starting to look ominous. Jake Stringer kicked his third goal for the game and then Jack Redpath added another to the Dogs tally. Lance Franklin kept Sydney in touch with a goal, but the Bulldogs replied with 3 goals, including 2 excellent goals from Tom Liberatore. The Western Bulldogs defense were applying a strong press up field against the Swans. They had excellent defensive structures and forced Sydney deep and when they tried to clear, the backline would gain possession and all but nullify the Swans offense. Fortunately for Sydney Luke Parker yet again stepped up and kicked a valuable goal before the final break.
Western Bulldog Lin Jong illustrates just how tight the contest was on the night. Photo: Jodie Newell
With the Western Bulldogs booting 6 goals in the 3rd quarter, Sydney would have to dig deep to get back into the game. Their cause wasn’t helped early in the quarter when Dan Hannebery failed to return the football to Bulldogs ruckman, Will Minson after he was awarded a free kick. Minson was given a 50 metre penalty and it gave him a chance to kick a goal. Hannebery tried to plead his case that his actions were a mistake, but the umpires stood their ground and Minson made use of the opportunity kicking the ball straight through the middle of the goals. Lance Franklin continued his great game with another 2 goals and Sydney were starting to win back the game. The final goal of Franklin’s game was a beauty. In his self proclaimed favorite spot on the SCG, being on the left side of the 50 metre arc in front of the Ladies Stand, Franklin took aim and with a slight bend on the ball and with a powerful left foot hit, he made a superb snap. The crowd roared their approval as the ball sailed through the goals. Sydney had the lead and the finals minutes were a mad scramble by both teams.
Matthew Boyd was sensational for the Western Bulldogs with 32 disposals. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney were forced into errors by the Western Bulldogs. When normally safe in disposals, the Swans all too easily gave up the ball through bad decisions and the Western Bulldogs continually threatened to score. Then came the final dramatic play. With a minute or so left, Caleb Daniel managed to find Marcus Bontempelli at the top of the 50 metre arc via heavy traffic. Bontempelli then decided to kick the ball to Jason Johannisen to improve the shot on goal angle and move the ball a little closer. With the clock ticking down, Johannisen made the goal a clutch play and the game was the Western Bulldogs. It was an amazing finish and one of the games of the season. It could have gone either way, but in the end the Western Bulldogs were the better team by 4 points.
Dan Hannebery of the Sydney Swans lays a strong tackle on Tom Liberatore. Photo: Jodie Newell
Post-game Swans coach John Longmire described the Bulldogs pressure akin to being hunted, whilst Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said that these were the type of games his team were expected to win. The victory for the Bulldogs kept Sydney from taking the outright top spot on the AFL ladder.It was a golden opportunity for Sydney to solidify their position in the top 4, but they were unable to take it and one wonders just how damaging this loss will be in the context of their final four aspirations. The Western Bulldogs credentials as a serious threat for the premiership wouldn’t have been harmed with their brilliant effort. Sydney (10-4) currently 4th face another tough game, this time on the road, at Geelong 2nd on the ladder (10-4) this Friday night. The Western Bulldogs 6th, (10-4) face the out of form, 12th placed Richmond (6-8) at the Docklands Stadium on Saturday night.
Western Bulldogs defensive structure 3rd quarter v Sydney Swans. Photo: Jodie Newell
Consider the following formation photo above. The Bulldogs had slammed on 6 goals in the 3rd quarter and weren’t about to allow Sydney an easy passage back into the game. This photo clearly illustrates the defensive pressure the Western Bulldogs applied late into the 3rd Quarter. This set-up looks very familiar to Hawthorn’s and with good reason. Coach Luke Beveridge was a defensive coach with the Hawks in 2012 to 2014 and whilst there, helped the club win 2 flags. Hawthorn still use a very similar tactic of having their defenders line up and hold that line with discipline. They push the opposing side deep into their offense and when a team tries to get out, there is a solid line of several defenders ready to regain the ball or make moving forward extremely difficult.The midfielders or “secondary” defense also are set up to make moving forward difficult. If it wasn’t for the likes of Sydney’s Luke Parker who was able to overcome this set-up via some hard running and Lance Franklin presenting himself, then Sydney wouldn’t have been as close as they finished. This defensive structure is a very powerful tactic in modern day football and when it is applied methodically and properly, it can wear down the best of teams. No wonder the Hawks have been so successful in winning triple premierships and no wonder the Bulldogs are in the top eight. They carry out this tactic extremely well and it was a major part of why they won the game on Saturday.
SYDNEY SWANS 2.5 6.7 8.9 11.13 (79)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 5.3 11.4 13.5 (83)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 5, Parker 3, Sinclair, McVeigh, Hewett
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Liberatore 2, Bontempelli, Roughead, Redpath, Minson, Jong, Jonannisen, Hunter, Biggs
BEST
Sydney Swans: Parker, Franklin, Kennedy
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Johannisen, Liberatore
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: –
Western Bulldogs: –
Reports: –
Umpires: Leigh Fisher, Matt Stevic, Justin Schmitt, Robert Findlay
Official crowd: 33,386 at SCG
