As it happened AFL 2022 round 3: Bontempelli’s goal sees Western Bulldogs to tight win over Sydney Swans

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As it happened AFL 2022 round 3: Bontempelli’s goal sees Western Bulldogs to tight win over Sydney Swans

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That’s it for tonight

Thanks for joining us tonight everyone. The Bulldogs have kickstarted their season with a hard-fought win despite some misses in front of goal.

We will be back tomorrow night with another live blog for Friday night footy.

Thanks for the comments and interactions and we will see you all tomorrow.

For more reactions to tonight and the round ahead, please check back at The Age Sport or SMH Sport.

Bye for now.

Luke Beveridge praises Dogs’ defence

Luke Beveridge spoke to media post game.

“It was a turnover, turnover kind of game. We lacked some composure at times and played on when we shouldn’t have. You hope you haven’t exhausted your opportunities.

Cody Weightman.

Cody Weightman.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We lost our way a bit in the third quarter and that created some looks for Sydney. It was a combination of concerns but by-and-large we were more consistent with our output.

“That was encouraging. We had elements of that in the first couple of rounds but not for long enough.

“It was great to see some different players influence the outcome as the game went on.

“We usually rely on two or three or four usual suspects but some of the lesser likes stood up and helped us get over the line.”

Was the defensive performance a positive tonight?

We showed positive signs against Melbourne and for a half against Carlton, we just let them score too much in the first half.

“We’ve worked really cohesively as a team defensively, but we needed to be better in the contest with our backs today. And it’s just so pleasing to see Ryan Gardner play the top game that he did. He’s played some really important games for us but I think none more important than tonight. And but again, in the third quarter, I felt we let it go over the back too much and we’re gonna need to improve on that to.”

Has Bontempelli hurt his shoulder?

The message came through there it was one of those stingers and hopefully that’s all it is. Those sort of injuries can still hang around for a little bit but just the way he showed courage at different times and that spoil on the last quarter. If he doesn’t come across, potentially they’re kicking a goal and are only one gold down>”

‘We were off the pace’: Longmire says Swans weren’t as hungry

Swans coach John Longmire spoke to the media following the loss tonight:

Was that loss the product of two six-day breaks and a letdown from last week?

“I think we’ve got five six-day breaks in the first nine games so we’ve got to get used to it.

Luke Parker.

Luke Parker.Credit: Getty Images

“It looked like two different teams into different spaces for that first quarter and a half. It looked like we didn’t have that cleanliness around the ball, fumbles, we were really just right off, all those things you need to be strong in the contest. The Doggies were the opposite of that and to their credit they were hard and hungry and we didn’t go with that.

“We were off the pace.

“If we had pinched it, it would have been great but I’m not going to say we would have deserved it. They missed a few shots at goal.”

How is Tom Hickey?

“He has a suspected medial [ligament] injury. That’s all I know.”

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Wayward Dogs hold their nerve to open account with thrilling win over Swans

By Andrew Wu

Luke Beveridge hinted the Western Bulldogs would bring the heat, and his players delivered with a blue-collar performance in keeping with the club’s working-class roots to hold off Sydney in a thriller.

It has taken three rounds but the Dogs are finally off the mark in 2022 with an 11-point win, 9.17 (71) to 9.6 (60), but they will sweat on the findings of the match review officer after Tim English’s head-high hit on Nick Blakey late in the game.

The match was in the balance with a minute left after Errol Gulden converted after a 50-metre penalty but the Dogs cooly closed out the game, absorbing what the Swans threw at them then rebounding for the clincher through skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Click here to read the story.

Bontempelli praises Dogs’ inside work

Marcus Bontempelli spoke to Fox Footy post game.

“The boys are pretty pumped, pretty relieved but it did feel like we had some good patches of footy,” Bontempelli said.

“There was a focus on the physical side of the game. The Swans move the ball quite nicely so it had to start at the source [the contest].”

Marcus Bontempelli.

Marcus Bontempelli.Credit: AFL Photos v Getty Images

Bontempelli said clogging up the defence made a difference.

“It was something we have tried to improve on, to get the right balance so we can get back and cover the defence,” he said.

“It’s our execution that lets us down sometimes but he knows we will have a crack.

“To fightback and keep our noses in front is something Bevo will be proud of.”

Watch: Franklin’s last term goal

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FT: Western Bulldogs 9.17 (71) d Sydney Swans 9.6 (60)

By Roy Ward

The Swans threatened to steal it in the final minute but Tom Liberatore’s inside work and Marcus Bontempelli’s hard-running made sure the Bulldogs skipper kicked the goal which secured the first win of 2022 for his side.

The Bulldogs transitioned back into defence in numbers and won the contested football and tackles to claim a win over one of the form sides in the AFL.

Alex Keath and Bailey Smith celebrate a goal.

Alex Keath and Bailey Smith celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Swans will rue not having more poise in the first half when they blazed away and didn’t hit their targets.

Cody Weightman’s three goals were vital while Josh Dunkley and Bailey Smith had 31 disposals each.

Bontempelli goals, Dogs should have it

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli did the gut running to get ahead of a breakout from his side and his calm finish, despite being tackled went into the goals to steal the win.

Dogs 71, Swans 60 with 24 seconds to go.

Swans still in it

The Bulldogs gave up a 50m penalty for encouragement 55m from goal and Gulden has goaled for the Swans to bring them within five points with a minute to go.

Dogs 65, Bulldogs 60 with 61 seconds to play.

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Injured Swans big man not happy

UPDATED: Injured Swans ruckman Sam Naismith appears unhappy with the umpiring tonight as he watches the match.

In cheeky fashion, he has tweeted to ask whether his team cops a 50m penalty for what he puts on Twitter.

Ben Ronke has given the Swans new hope with a goal against the run of play.

Dogs 65, Swans 53 with six mins to go.

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