From the mid-way point of the first quarter to half time, the Dogs did not concede a single goal as they set about establishing a match-winning lead of 69-points at the major break.
The Swans won some respect with an improved showing in the second half but the Bulldogs were in cruise mode, running out winners 18.9 (117) to 12.5 (77).
The contributors for the Dogs were myriad, but Daniel Giansiracusa can take a special bow.
He got the ball rolling after the Swans had bottled up the opening exchanges, winning the contested possessions and grabbing an early two-goal lead.
But along with Shaun Higgins, Giansiracusa won several telling touches through the middle of the ground to break the shackles before kicking his team's first two goals.
He was not alone on the scoresheet for long, with Scott Welsh, Adam Cooney and Callan Ward all kicking goals to set up an 18-point lead at the first change.
But the second quarter was the telling period, with the lead growing when 150-gamer Lindsay Gilbee kicked beautifully for Nathan Eagleton to release Ward for his second.
The unlikely sharp shooter added a third moments later, spurring a session of push and shove after Welsh's heavy shepherd felled Jared Crouch.
The incident failed to fire up the Swans, though, who were being completely outpointed through the middle of the ground.
It was this avenue the Bulldogs chose to go through for their eighth and tenth goals; the ninth -- Mitch Hahn's second in two minutes -- came on the back of a 50m penalty courtesy of an out-of-sorts Lewis Roberts-Thompson.
Luke Ablett kicked a behind in the 17th minute. It was the Swans first score of a quarter in which they were nominally kicking with a strong breeze.
It was to be their only score for the term. The Bulldogs added another three to set up an unassailable half-time lead.
The defence led the way, with Brian Lake on Barry Hall, and Dale Morris on Michael O’Loughlin stellar early, but it was the entire team that worked beautifully to apply defensive pressure all over the ground.
The spread of good players for the Dogs was admirable. Welsh kicked four, Giansiracusa, Callan Ward and Mitch Hahn grabbed three each, but they were beautifully fed and assisted by Jarrod Harbrow, Adam Cooney and Shaun Higgins.
Hall eventually kicked six on Lake, but had just eight kicks, while O’Loughlin saw it just seven times as he was towelled up by the magnificent Morris.
Adam Goodes is one Swan, though, that can hold his head high. The Brownlow Medallist finished with 30 touches and two goals, and was the major threat to the Dogs with his dash, strength and skill setting up numerous forays forward for his team.
In fact, Goodes almost played a lone hand in the first half, with Ryan O’Keefe, Craig Bolton and Brett Kirk assisting with useful but patchy performances.
With the margin at half time sitting at 69 points, the contest was effectively over although the Swans did well to win the second half comfortably.
Better run from half-back and more fluent movement saw the ball travelling with more frequency and authority into the Swans' forward line.
The result was ten goals to five after the main break to assuage Paul Roos' pain and give Rodney Eade something to work on for Friday night's assignment against Richmond.
Western Bulldogs 5.2 13.6 16.7 18.9 (117)
Sydney Swans 2.2 2.3 7.4 12.5 (77)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Welsh 4, Giansiracusa 3, Hahn 3, Ward 3, Cooney 2, Harbrow, Higgins, Boyd
Sydney Swans: Hall 6, Goodes 2, Malceski, Ablett, Jack, J Bolton
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa, Harbrow, Cooney, Higgins, Ward, Morris, Lake
Sydney Swans: Goodes, O’Keefe, Hall, C Bolton, Kirk
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Tom Williams (plantar fascia) replaced in selected side by J Harbrow
Sydney Swans: C Bolton (cut head)
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The views contained in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
