Ugly collision forces Dogs into early sub... but they're 'smacking ...

Sydney can go three games clear of rivals and cement itself as the clear AFL flag favourite, but must first get past an in-form Western Bulldogs side tonight.

The Bulldogs (5-5, 126.1%) have the AFL’s second-best percentage and last week claimed their biggest scalp of the season, knocking off GWS on the road.

The Swans (9-1, 154.7%) have bizarrely only lost to lowly Richmond this year, but otherwise have emerged from a messy pack of contenders thanks to recent wins over Carlton, Fremantle and the Giants.

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The match gets underway at 7:30pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo or via Hubbl from 6:30pm AEST.

Follow Western Bulldogs v Sydney in our live blog below!

MATCH UPDATES

The Dogs made a late change with young gun Ryley Sanders coming into the selected side to replace James O’Donnell (illness).

Sanders was named as the Dogs’ substitute, while Matt Roberts is Sydney’s.

The Dogs got off to a fast start as Ed Richards burst from the centre circle to find Sam Darcy inside forward 50.

Just moments later, Bulldog Anthony Scott and Swan Harry Cunningham clashed heads in a “nasty” incident that saw Scott leave the field.

“He is not in a great way,” Channel 7 commentator Abbey Holmes said.

Dogs ruck Tim English booted the second of the game after being awarded a 50 metre penalty, taking him right to the goal line.

“Clearances are 6-1, contested footy 16-6 and that’s why the inside 50’s are 7-1. It’s a smacking at the moment,” Swans champion Gerard Healy said on AFL Nation.

Scott was subbed out of the contest, meaning young gun Sanders entered the game, two weeks after amassing 41 disposals in the VFL.

However, the Swans steadied booting four of thee next five goals to take the lead.

After a Jamarra Ugle-Hagan goal in the dying stages of the first term, the Bulldogs led 4.3 (27) to 4.1 (25) at quarter time.

Defender-turned-midfielder Ed Richards had a superb first term, racking up 11 disposals, 275 metres gained, five score involvements and three goal assists in the first term.

He has absolutely flourished in his new role as an inside midfielder in the absence of Tom Liberatore.

“Ed Richards has taken to the midfield like a duck to water, he is having an absolute ball,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

There were serious fears for the Western Bulldogs as star forward Aaron Naughton left the field in the hands of the trainers with what appeared to be a knee injury.

“Oh dear, that is not good for Aaron Naughton,” Channel 7’s Brian Taylor said.

“Let’s hope that’s not what I think it is.

“Betting from the reactions of Naughton then that’s not a good one … that is ugly.”

Fellow Channel 7 caller Alister Nicholson added: “He’s in a lot of pain, he threw the mouthguard, worrying signs there.”

An arm-wrestle in the early stages of the second term was broken by Swans livewire Tom Papley, who used some quick-thinking in the goal square to put the Swans back in front.

Papley broke away from congestion deep in the forward pocket and tapped the ball onto his boot as he kicked the goal.

Dogs small forward Rhylee West responded shortly after but the Dogs were left licking their wounds as Naughton was ruled out for the rest of the night.

Swans midfielder Errol Gulden showed why he is one of the best young stars of the competition as he kicked a beautiful goal on the run after a nice handball chain from the Swans.

Exciting Sydney forward Will Hayward applied terrific defensive pressure to catch Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli holding the ball, converting his set shot to extend Sydney’s lead to nine points.

But the Dogs weren’t going to go away any time soon, booting the next two goals which included a nice goal from Riley Garcia, who bounced off two Swans defenders.

Laitham Vandermeer converted his goal after receiving a contentious free kick and then 50 metre penalty for dissent.

The Bulldogs led 7.8 (50) to 7.4 (46) at half time.