The Swans routinely fall short in milestone games, but their performance at the SCG on Saturday night showed not even the most malevolent spirit could overcome Kirk?s karma.
They footy gods answered all of the expectations of the Swans faithful ? and then some ? as Sydney despatched the self-declared premiership contender by 44 points, ending a run of five losses against the Dogs and making a down payment on a home final.
The Swans took control of the game halfway through the first quarter and remained on top for virtually the entire game, kicking another 14 goals to the Bulldogs? paltry five.
Captain Kirk, who won standing ovations for his two goals as makeshift full-forward, said in his oracular way that the ?universe was working our way.?
It must have felt that way to the hapless Dogs. They lost Adam Cooney in the first minute to a hamstring injury. Captain Brad Johnson, with a hex of his own from an ex-team-mate, took little part in what may well have been his last game.
Early in the third term, after a Liam Jones set shot took the Dogs to within 14 points, Jude Bolton broke their momentum with a Gatting ball-style snap that bounced through after landing well to the right of the goalpost, leaving our coach slack-jawed on the sidelines.
In the stands, it certainly felt as though the gods had sprinkled fairy dust over the SCG, but the decisive factor was the Swans? dominance of the contested ball and of the Bulldogs? more fancied midfield.
The game began in furious fashion, with the visitors making use of the short ground to bomb it in fast.
Ruckman Hudson strolled in unmarked to kick their first a minute into the match. White replied at the other end from a set shot, then Hall kicked his first major, followed by a TDL snap and then another to Hudson.
Sydney were playing catchup, though, and with the defenders under siege Eagleton kicked the Doggies? fourth at the 11-minute mark. McVeigh kicked our third from a turnover a couple of minutes later, but when Hall pushed out Pyke in ruck contest to set up Gilbee for the Bulldogs? fifth after just 19 minutes, the signs were ominous.
It may have been that the gods tore themselves away from tormenting Julia Gillard to patrol the SCG boundary, but it was at the point that Swans? in-form midfield began to assert themselves. In particular Goodes, who hadn?t previously touched the ball, came into the game, and Bulldogs? supply evaporated.
While Sydney was getting the ball into the 50 we squandered opportunities. Pyke took a sensational mark on his knees but missed. Malceski sent it out on the full and Goodes kicked a point from the right-hand pocket right on the siren.
It was left to Dennis-Lane to find the goals and the Swans went to the break with momentum and three-point deficit.
The second quarter began in the same fashion. But if the first term was a tennis match, volley for volley, the second suddenly becomes a slalom, with the Swans executing perfectly on a glorious swoop downhill run to rack up a score.
It is one of those seductive periods for a footy supporter when everything happens as it should. Contests are won. Targets are hit. The ball sails over the umpire?s head.
It begins in the forward pocket where a clever right-foot give from Jack finds Bolton who hoofs through his second. Kirk wins his first ovation after a softish free at the nine-minute mark, then it?s one from Bevan in the right pocket and two from Jack in five minutes. By the time Jetta sinks it deep into the stand late in the quarter Swans have kicked six goals to zip and the rapturous crowd is on its feet.
Hall adds to the general delirium when he sprays one from in front and Sydney go into the main break with a 27-point lead.
The Bulldogs rally in the third-term only to be denied by Bolton?s ?goal of the century,? followed shortly after by a one-handed mark and goal from McVeigh. The quarter is a draw, and when TDL kicks takes a strong grab early in the last term to put Sydney 38 points ahead the contest is over.
There must be a finale, though, and of course it?s our 34-year-old Buddhist goalsneak. He stuns his opponent by sprinting through the forward-line and actually getting off the ground for a chest mark. He kicks truly, pumps the air and the team runs in to hug it out.
The Swans complete a famous victory, adding a fourth top-eight scalp to their belt and sending a message that this re-modelled outfit, written off by all at the start of the season, is ready to do some damage in September.
The most ardent Swans fan couldn?t imagine a more satisfying day at the footy.
For mine, this win is up there with the qualifying final against Port, the Nick Davis semi-final and the 2005 Grand Final as my favourite Roos-era memories.
SCG, Saturday, August 21, 7.10pm AEST
Sydney Swans 4.4 (28) 10.6 (66) 13.10 (88) 17.12 (114)
Western Bulldogs 5.1 (31) 6.3 (39) 9.7 (61) 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Dennis-Lane 4, Kirk Jack Bolton Bevan Jetta McVeigh 2, White 1
Western Bulldogs: Hudson Hall Hudson Grant 2 Gilbee Jones 1
BEST
Sydney Swans: Goodes, Dennis-Lane, Jack, Bolton, Grundy, Kennelly.
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Hudson, Eagleton, Hargrave, Griffen, Lake.
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: O?Keefe (groin soreness) withdrew, replaced by Meredith. Mumford (knee).
Western Bulldogs: Cooney (hamstring), Johnson (Achilles).
UMPIRES
Donlon, Meredith, Rosebury
CROWD 36,554
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