Charlie Curnow Scores Seven Goals as Sydney Swans Win

Charlie Curnow scored a season-best seven goals as Sydney Swans defeated Western Bulldogs 18.18 (126) to 9.6 (60) at Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening.

The win consolidates Sydney's top position, with Curnow's aerial threat proving decisive.

Sydney Swans had a sloppy start, but Curnow's marking and Tom Papley's setup play turned the game around.

The Bulldogs' injury woes continued with Aaron Naughton stretchered off after a nasty fall.

Curnow marked everything in his vicinity, while Papley had seven inside 50s and 10 score involvements.

Nick Blakey continued his good form with 22 disposals and 507m gained, taking the game on with exciting dashes.

The game opened up for Sydney when they started moving the ball quickly through the corridor, hitting up tall duo Curnow and Joel Amartey.

The Bulldogs' defence, missing James O'Donnell and Rory Lobb, struggled to contain the Swans' attack.

The Swans owned the corridor ball, both in possession and when defending the Bulldogs' movement.

Aaron Naughton's injury added to the Bulldogs' concerns, with the forward stretchered off after a dreadful fall onto his neck in the third quarter.

Marcus Bontempelli looked slick despite heavy strapping on his right knee, but his cleanliness at the ground ball wasn't replicated by many teammates.

Debutant Lachie Smith and third-gamer Louis Emmett worked Brodie Grundy well in the first half, but the veteran Swan dominated after the break.

Tom McCartin found himself the recipient of three contact free kicks early in the third term, causing tension in the stands to build.

The Bulldogs' young ruck brigade was asked questions by Grundy's second-half performance, kicking Sydney's first two goals of the term.