Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Australia
They were a team of destiny. Given the toughest road to ‘Oz” the yellow brick road finally led the Western Bulldogs to footballing heaven as they clicked their red, white and blue heels to a famous, historic win at the MCG. It was the club’s second premiership since 1954. In their wake, the Sydney Swans painfully faced their second grand final defeat in the space of three years. The Bulldogs were relentless in their pressure and never allowed Sydney to relax or begin their free flowing, fast paced running football that has served them well throughout season 2016.
The Bulldogs were relentless in their pressure on the Swans. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney as in previous weeks were expected to get off to a quick start. In the early haze of grand final nerves the Swans seemed to settle first and had the games first three scores. Luke Parker, Kieran Jack and Lance Franklin were presenting well around the forward area.At the back, Swans defender Heath Grundy repelled some early Western Bulldog probing. The Dogs had to wait later in the term when Zaine Cordy kicked his team’s first goal from a tight angle. Cordy acquired his kick from a superb tackle on Sydney’s Callum Mills who was deemed to be holding the ball. This play and solid application would be a recurring theme throughout the match for the Western Bulldogs. A few minutes later Tory Dickson posted the Western Bulldogs second goal and at the end of the first term, the Dogs were leading by 4 points. During the first quarter key forward Lance Franklin suffered an ankle injury which would hamper his movement for the remainder of the game. To his credit, he continually presented to the ball and made several tackles.
Despite suffering an early ankle injury, Lance Franklin worked tirelessly for Sydney.Photo: Jodie Newell
The second quarter could best be described as an epic arm wrestle as both teams looked to have an ascendancy before the other would respond. The Western Bulldogs posted the first goal via Tom Boyd. It was a remarkable strike as Boyd marked in the tightest of pockets after a kick from Marcus Bontempelli. Boyd swung around and kicked truly for the Dogs third goal. Sydney on the other hand had their chances but were not accurate. Kieran Jack posted two behinds from gettable positions and in a tight contest such as this, accuracy would be everything.
Sydney’s Kieren Jack under pressure from Bulldog Jack Macrae. Photo: Jodie Newell
Ironically the next Sydney goal would come from a defender in Nick Smith. He received a handball give from Kieran Jack and slotted home the Swans second goal of the term. Remarkably it would be Smith’s first goal in three years. The Bulldogs would kick the next goal in contentious circumstances. Heath Grundy went for a difficult mark with one arm and appeared to have control, yet the umpires called play on. Tory Dickson swooped on the ball and snapped his second goal. This play was the beginning of several close calls from the field umpires that clearly favored the Bulldogs. The freekick count would end 20-8 to the Western Bulldogs. It was not the main reason why Sydney lost the game, but it was a significant factor. Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith and Scott Jeffery had a very ordinary grand final officiating wise. To illustrate this point, soon after the Dickson goal, Lachie Hunter “scooped” the ball back to a teammate when clearly it was a throw. Tom Liberatore picked up the ball and his shot was rushed through. On the other hand, Sydney’s Callum Mills was put under pressure by Hunter and his handpass away gave the ball up. The Bulldogs would continue their pressure and would score another goal on the back of their hard work via an opportunistic snap from Liam Picken.
Stopping the Swans. Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney were now 16 points behind and needed to do something to get back into the game. Midfielder Tom Mitchell was starting to gain the football as to was Josh Kennedy. It was during this period that Kennedy played some of the most inspiring football of his career as his threw himself hard at the ball and created opportunities for his teammates. Sydney would post 4 unanswered goals, including 2 majors from Kennedy. Sydney would take the lead and looked to be gaining control of the game. Yet the Dogs remained attentive. Tom Boyd marked another forward kick from Marcus Bontempelli and goaled right in front of the posts. Sydney responded quickly with a brilliant play from Tom Mitchell. Amidst heavy traffic, Mitchell was able to slot a goal and Sydney had an eight point lead.
Josh Kennedy played some of his career best football in the 2nd quarter. Photo: Jodie Newell
The final two minutes of this quarter were instructional on how the Sydney Swans were unable to stay calm and focused amidst the constant pressure from the Bulldogs. They could have easily gone into the sheds at half-time with an eight-point lead, but due to strategical errors, questionable coaching and a bad umpiring decision they went in with only a 2 point lead. With just over a minute remaining, Heath Grundy took a rebound mark outside the 50 metre arc of the Swans. Instead of eating up the clock and passing the ball backwards to players that were in the clear, he inexplicably kicked to a contest up forward. It could be fairly asked where was the runner getting out the “time to go” call or advising for a slow down?. This decision was exacerbated by a terrible umpiring decision by Scott Jeffery who awarded a free kick to Toby Mclean of the Western Bulldogs. Kieran Jack had his legs taken out by Mclean, which is normally deemed “prohibitive contact” yet umpire Jeffery saw otherwise. He also threw in a 50 metre penalty into the bargain and it opened up the chance for the Bulldogs to score. Mclean booted the ball into the Dogs forward area. The Swans defenders were unable to gain possession at the contest. Jake Stringer kicked a chaos ball at the top of the square, where Mclean grabbed the ball and kicked it over his shoulders for a valuable goal. All of the above could well have been avoided if Grundy had cooled things down seconds previously. Sydney looked absolutely spent at the half-time break after they had worked so hard to get back in the game.
The Swans team looked exhausted at the half-time break. Photo: Jodie Newell
The all important third term began positively for Sydney as they pushed forward. But as in the first half, they were unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.This time Kurt Tippett who was having a quiet day, could not sink a very gettable goal and settled for a disappointing behind in a game where goals were at a premium. Minutes later, Tory Dickson kicked his third goal in the teeth of the square after a slick handpass from Jack Macrae and the Bulldogs were back in front. Like the first half the Western Bulldogs continually applied pressure on the Swans and made them earn every possession. Josh Kennedy continued with his superb form by kicking his third goal in the square after receiving a 50 metre penalty for being heavily bumped after his mark by Toby Mclean.
Clay Smith (middle) was the recipient of a very fortuitous free in the 3rd quarter that resulted in a goal. Photo: Jodie Newell
The way the next Western Bulldogs goal was scored really emphasized just how badly the game was being officiated. Already a number of free kicks were being handed to the Bulldogs that were contentious.The scoring chain began when Dane Rampe was strongly tackled by Luke Dahlhaus. It appeared that Rampe had just gotten rid of the ball before Matt Stevic blew the whistle for holding the ball. Other tackles had lasted the same duration yet were waved on. The ball was kicked down into the forward zone where Clay Smith was awarded a free for alleged high contact. Umpire Jeffrey could be heard saying something to the effect of “I think it was high contact” to which a nearby Swans player incredulously said ‘You think?”. The replay showed no contact. It was an extremely fortuitous free kick to which Smith took full advantage.On such a massive showcase, to see the most important game of the year being officiated in the manner that it was, was extremely disappointing. Taking nothing away from the Bulldogs they deserved to win, but the AFL umpiring panel needs to really review such an abysmal effort. It was terrible adjudicating.The Bulldogs would add a further 4 behinds and end the quarter with a handy 8 point buffer.
Swan defender Dane Rampe was kept busy at the back. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney had to score the first goal of the final term. They could have had two goals in quick succession, with Tom Papley willfully snapping at goals for a behind when Josh Kennedy was in the clear and could have easily goaled. Thankfully for Sydney, Lance Franklin slotted home a goal from a shot out on the 50 metre arc and the margin was back to within a point. Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer was having a pretty ordinary day.Despite trying hard nothing seemed to be working for him.The ball didn’t bounce right for him and he kicked the ball on the full on several occasions. Yet as they say if you keep presenting, something will stick. In this instance he kicked a goal in heavy traffic right in front of the goals and the Dogs regained the lead. Sydney would not give in and to their credit kept pace with the Western Bulldogs. This time the umpires (Matt Stevic) paid a free to the Swans after Matthew Boyd incorrectly disposed of the ball in tackle from George Hewett.Hewett made no mistake and again the margin was back to within a point.
Tom Papley of the Sydney Swans is tackled by Easton Wood of the Western Bulldogs. Photo: Jodie Newell
The next few minutes would see the Western Bulldogs finally crack the Swans. Liam Picken who had previously taken a spectacular mark, sharked a heavily contested ball in front of the posts and kicked a crucial goal. The Dogs fans roared their approval as they sensed the game was theirs for the taking. Sydney were under the pump having earlier lost Dan Hannebery via a tackle from Easton Wood who appeared to have taken his legs out and again, incredulously no free was awarded.The game looked like it was sealed when Jason Johannisen goaled on the run, but it was over-ruled by the score review process deeming it was touched on what was inconclusive video evidence. This time the adjudication went against the Bulldogs. Tom Boyd put the game out of reach when he was the next to goal. He in our opinion was clearly the best player on the ground. His marking, ruck work, accuracy and presence was significant with the result. His shot bounced through the goals to an almighty roar. The Swans needed a miracle to win the game Ben McGlynn marked in front of goals from a Lance Franklin pass, yet his shot missed and with it the Sydney Swans premiership hopes evaporated. To seal the deal Liam Picken kicked the game’s final goal.As he fist pumped the air, Picken knew the premiership was the Western Bulldogs by a margin of 22 points.
The Agony & The Ecstasy. The Western Bulldogs are AFL Premiers for 2016. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Bulldogs were fully deserving of their victory. Relentless pressure, teamwork, desperation at the contest, all players contributing, it was an incredible grand final win. They did it the hard way winning two tough road games (West Coast & the GWS Giants) and defeating the defending premiers in Hawthorn. For Sydney it was a case of the work being carried out by too few. Swans coach John Longmire said post-game their were not enough contributors. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke of the intense belief he and his team had that carried them to the flag. The premiership drought of 62 years was finally over for the Western Bulldogs amidst remarkable scenes at the MCG. The 2016 AFL finals series and grand final will long be remembered for it’s thrilling drama and emotion.
The Flag is Ours! The Western Bulldogs swamped by red, white & blue ticker tape. Photo: Jodie Newell
SYDNEY SWANS 1.2 7.3 8.5 10.7 (67)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.0 7.1 9.7 13.11 (89)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Josh Kennedy 3, Tom Mitchell 2, Luke Parker, Nick Smith, Gary Rohan, Lance Franklin, George Hewett
Western Bulldogs: Tom Boyd 3, Tory Dickson 3, Liam Picken 3, Zaine Cordy, Toby McLean, Clay Smith, Jake Stringer
BEST
Sydney Swans: Josh Kennedy, Heath Grundy, Lance Franklin
Western Bulldogs: Tom Boyd, Jason Johannisen, Liam Picken
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Lance Franklin (ankle), Dan Hannebery (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Jason Johannisen (calf)
Reports: –
Official crowd: 99,981 at the MCG
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Scott Jeffery
VERDICT: Hate to say this on the biggest day of the year football wise, but the lads in lime had the worst possible game. The final free kick totals of 20-8 in favor of the Western Bulldogs were damning. It wasn’t just one or two bad decisions, there were several that were inexplicably bad. Prohibitive contact where a player has his legs taken from underneath him were missed. Dan Hannebery’s take out by Easton Wood in the final quarter was shocking and allowed. The Dogs benefited from some incorrect decisions. It wouldn’t have changed the result in our opinion, but their efforts seriously impacted on Sydney chances. If I was Donald Trump and I was sitting at a solid oak table with all three umps in front of me, I would have had no hesitation in saying to Messrs Stevic, Meredith & Jeffery “You’re Fired”! They were terrible. Mark = MAJOR FAIL
NB: Days later the AFL reviewed the umpires game and surprise, surprise came up with this, quote: “The game fell short of the standard expected from the three umpires of that elite calibre”
A forgettable Grand Final debut. Umpire Scott Jeffery had a very poor game. Photo : Jodie Newell
