After a slow start to the season, the Western Bulldogs have hit their straps with back-to-back wins ahead of their clash against the top-of-the-ladder Sydney Swans on Thursday night.

The Dogs recently defeated the GWS Giants by 27 points in what was a commanding performance against one of the competitions pacesetters.

Luke Beveridge’s side also shared the workload, with Adam Treloar amassing 35 disposals while James Harmes and Sam Darcy booted two goals apiece.

Ed Richards has taken his opportunity in the midfield in the absence of Tom Liberatore and Bailey Smith, while tall forwards Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will provide an additional headache for John Longmire’s defence.

The last time these two sides met it was the Swans prevailing by just two-points in Round 18 last season. Marcus Bontempelli was outstanding in that match at the SCG, almost single-handedly dragging his team over the line with 31 disposals and two goals.

The Western Bulldogs now sit in 11^th position on the ladder with a 5-5 record and would fancy themselves against the Swans, who they have traditionally had good battles against.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge says he’s looking forward to taking on a Swans team in form after starting the season with a 9-1 record.

“Playing against the top side this week in a Sydney team - when you consider athletically and in the contest of benchmarking the competition this year; what a great challenge for us coming off a couple of good weeks,” Beveridge said.

“We'll definitely look tactically to quell the influence of some of their movers and shakers, and their sort of match-winning types – we need to mitigate against them being dominant.

“I think one of the things Sydney have done really well against us over the journey is that they play a confronting, physical brand. They come at us in an adversarial way, historically. We admire that in any team that does it.

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A STUNNING display from Chad Warner has guided Sydney to a 10th win for the year, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 14 points on Thursday evening.

Warner's four goals and damaging run led the Swans to the 16.6 (102) to 12.16 (88) win at Marvel Stadium, keeping them locked in on top of the ladder ahead of next week's bye.

The Dogs were brave to the end despite losing key forward Aaron Naughton (knee) and in-form midfielder Ed Richards (concussion) early in the game.

The Swans, who got out to a 30-point lead midway through the final quarter, attempted to ice the clock but the Dogs had other ideas as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (six marks, three goals) put them back within eight points with six minutes remaining.

But a controversial 50m penalty paid to Hayden McLean just as the Bulldogs threatened to snatch it put an end to the comeback.

Brownlow Medal fancy Isaac Heeney (23 disposals, eight clearances) and young gun Errol Gulden (25 disposals, 502 metres gained) were both instrumental for Sydney, while also each dobbing impressive goals from tight angles to wow the crowd.

Richards was dominant for the home side in the opening half, breaking through packs and neatly directing the ball inside 50, but a head clash early in the third quarter, which subsequently ruled him out for the game, saw momentum swing the Swans' way.

The Dogs' pain was compounded with Anthony Scott (concussion) and Naughton also ruled out through the game. Despite having depleted stocks, the Dogs never stopped pushing.

They owned large patches, applying oppressive, suffocating pressure to maintain possession in the front half and exploit the height advantage the likes of Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy had over Sydney's keys. Turning that field position into a damaging score proved more difficult, however, with the side kicking 12 goals from 28 scores.

Speed from the restart was the Dogs' best friend, led initially by defender-turned-midfielder Richards, sending the ball high inside 50 to dominate the aerial contest, and then driven by the likes of Adam Treloar (30 disposals, six clearances) and late inclusion Ryley Sanders (20 disposals, six tackles). It forced the Swans' defenders into panicked ball use and poor decision making, allowing the Dogs repeat opportunities on goal.

There was a concerted focus on defending the corridor from the Dogs, preventing Sydney from using its aggressive end-to-end transition that has allowed it to shoot up the ladder this year.

It was largely effective, but when the Swans did break through, the attacking ball use was devastating. Winger Justin McInerney (20 disposals, nine marks) was instrumental early in the game as Sydney struggled against the Dogs' press, able to bring the likes of Joel Amartey (four marks, two goals) and Will Hayward (six tackles, two goals) into the game.

The Chad
Every time the Dogs threatened to take control of the game and open up a winning margin, it was star Swan Chad Warner who turned the tide. His power through congestion allowed him to find space where otherwise there was none, which led to clever, composed ball use to set up his teammates. Rarely was a Bulldog opponent able to go with him, allowing him to rack up 25 disposals, while he also snuck forward to kick four goals for the game in another impressive display, and added a stunning high-flying mark in the third quarter for good measure.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             4.3    7.8    8.11   12.16 (88)
SYDNEY                                   4.1    7.4    12.6   16.6 (102)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 3, Garcia 2, Darcy, English, Naughton, West, Vandermeer, Harmes, Gallagher
Sydney: Warner 4, Amartey 2, Hayward 2, McLean 2, Papley, Gulden, McDonald, Wicks, Adams, Heeney

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, West, Richards
Sydney: Warner, Gulden, Grundy, McInerney, Heeney, Blakey

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Scott (head clash), Naughton (right knee), Richards (head knock)
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES 
Western Bulldogs: Ryley Sanders (replaced Anthony Scott in the first quarter)
Sydney: Matt Roberts (replaced Aaron Francis in the final quarter)

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: James O'Donnell (illness) replaced in selected side by Ryley Sanders
Sydney: Nil

Crowd: 27,377 at Marvel Stadium