The Sydney Swans VFL side have suffered a 14-point defeat to the Footscray Bulldogs in Round 14 of the competition. 

The Swans started the clash slowly, and the lead had built out to 37-points by the half time break, before a spirited second half by the red and white saw the game in the balance heading into the final stanza. Despite the Swans best efforts, the second place Bulldogs went on to secure a 10.13.73 to 8.1159 victory. 

The Bulldogs raced out of the blocks with three goals in quick succession in the early stages, as the Swans were unable to withstand their relentless attacking raids. 

A maiden goal to Angus Hanrahan ensured the Swans wouldn't be shutout in the first quarter, although it was dominated by Footscray.

Riley Bice, featuring in his first VFL game of 2025 after a long stint in the seniors, featured heavily in the opening term with eight disposals and two tackles. 

Bice continued to inject himself prominently early in the second quarter, and the Swans made a perfect start with a goal to Max Geddes after five minutes.

A goal to Caleb Poulter midway through the second quarter saw Footscray extend their lead to 27 points, with the Swans unable to capitalise on their chances and the Bulldogs tackle pressure forcing countless errors. 

Footscray went into the main break with a 37-point lead, although Bice and Corey Warner were leading the charge in the hopes of another comeback victory.

Ruckman Peter Ladhams opened the scoring in the third quarter, with an impressive long-range major from the centre square to start the Swans fightback, similar to the week prior. But the Bulldogs steadied the momentum, kicking a major of their own through Xavier Kardachi.

A touch of luck saw tall Will Green kick the Swans second of the quarter, with the ruckman tip-toeing along the boundary, before Matt Lloyd cut the deficit with a major of his own. Lloyd profiting following back to back defensive efforts by teammate Joel Hamling to force an error in the Bulldogs backline.

Ladhams kicked his second of the quarter, and the Swans fourth of the quarter, before Bulldogs forward Chan Hargraves answered straight away for their own score off a centre bounce clearance, putting a pause on the Swans fightback as they took a 22-point lead into the final quarter.

The Swans had opportunities to continue to apply pressure and reduce the margin, but the home side were inaccurate in front of goal, with behinds to Jack Kluske, Lloyd, Jesse Dattoli and Max Geddes. The Bulldogs made the most of their first opportunity in front of goal, with Luca Muratore finishing off some end-to-end ball movement, putting a stop to the Swans momentum and potential fightback.

The Swans didn't hang their heads and pushed towards the final siren, with Dattoli rewarded with a major late in the quarter. A late consolation goal to Warner made it back to back majors for the home side, but the final siren called an end to the fightback with the Bulldogs claiming a 14-point victory. 

Ladhams impressed with 24 disposals, 12 hit outs to go alongside his two goals, while Warner (22 disposals, 1 goal), Bice (25 disposals, three tackles) and Hanrahan (23 disposals, 1 goal) were strong in the defeat.

The Swans VFL side will host the Northern Bullants at Tramway Oval in Round 15 of the competition next Saturday, July 5 from 1:05pm.