WITH the re-match of the 2016 Grand Final between the Western Bulldogs and Sydney set for Friday night at Etihad Stadium, AFL.com.au looks back at the key moments of last season's premiership decided.
Kieren Jack's gutsy mark in the first quarter
Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack looked to set the tone for his team early in the first quarter when he ran into oncoming traffic to take a courageous mark as Western Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood bore down on him. Jack then went back and kicked the opening goal.
Josh Kennedy's goal in the second quarter
The brilliant midfielder did everything he could to keep the Swans in the contest in the first half, with only Tom Mitchell lending him the level of support he would have expected from the banged-up Swans' midfield. His two goals in the second quarter underlined his effort, with his second the perfect midfielder's goal. He crumbed the ball off a pack and had it on the boot and sailing through the goals before the nearest Bulldog, Toby McLean, could react.
Holding the ball decision against Dane Rampe
Sydney held a two-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter when the umpires momentarily forgot the rules. They failed to pay Tom Papley a free kick when Dale Morris slid under him, then penalised defender Dane Rampe for holding the ball even though he had handballed it. Luke Dahlhaus accepted the free kick and kicked it deep into the forward pocket, where Clay Smith received a free for head-high contact even though he was falling as Dan Hannebery clipped him. Credit to Smith, he was good enough to take advantage and kick the goal. The Bulldogs did not lose the lead from that moment and would become premiers.
Here comes Liam (Picken)
With a point the difference early in the last quarter, the Western Bulldogs needed inspiration. It came when Liam Picken launched for the ball at half-forward as teammate Zaine Cordy and Sydney defender Jeremy Laidler grappled under the high ball. Picken managed to leap as far horizontally as he did vertically to sit on the back of Laidler and pull in the type of screamer his dad, Billy, became famous for at Collingwood. Picken topped off this moment when he kicked the sealer late in the game, winning the ball in the goalsquare before launching it deep into the Southern Stand. It was time for the celebrations to begin.
Morris tackle leads to Boyd goal
With less than six minutes remaining and the Bulldogs nine points ahead, Swans superstar Lance Franklin pounced on a loose ball at half-back and turned to switch play to the open side. However he didn't bank on the desperation of Bulldogs warrior Dale Morris, who recovered from a marking contest in enough time to drag the Swans champion down with a perfect tackle. Full of confidence, Tom Boyd gathered the ball and threw it on the boot, kicking long to an open goalsquare. For a moment the result rested on the bounce of the ball as it lobbed in the square then floated through the goals. Boyd stretched his arms wide as he ran in circles to celebrate. It was one of the greatest moments in Bulldogs' history.
Buddy goal last quarter
The Swans were being challenged and it needed Buddy. Despite a sore ankle and carrying a shoulder injury for the last six weeks of the season, the champion lifted. He charged across the forward line to mark a kick from Zak Jones on his chest at the 50m mark. The Swans were seven points down and just 13 minutes remained. Was there every any doubt Buddy would kick the goal? No. He swung on to his trusty left foot and drilled goal No.787 of his career.