Swans down Western Bulldogs by 39 points

SYDNEY (AAP) July 23 - Sydney overcame a five-goal fusillade from former hero Barry Hall at the SCG to score a 39-point AFL win over a Western Bulldogs side that slipped further out of finals contention.
Sydney broke away in the third quarter on Saturday, kicking four goals to one on their way to winning 16.18 (114) to 11.9 (75).
The win lifted the Swans back into the eight and left the Bulldogs at least six points off eighth spot with five rounds to go.
Sydney midfielder Craig Bird kicked a career-best four goals, doubling his output for the season in the process.
Playing in what was almost certainly his last game at the SCG, Hall, who spent eight seasons with Sydney, ignored boos from the Swans supporters to keep his side in the game.
Hall, who earlier in the week announced he would retire at the end of the season, kicked five of the Bulldogs eight goals up to three-quarter time.
He put on a classic exhibition of forward play, leading, marking and kicking from distance, with three of his goals coming from around the 50m mark.
The Swans led by just three and seven at the first two breaks despite dominating the inside 50 category.
They skipped away to a 41-21 advantage in the second quarter, but defensive errors gifted Andrew Hooper two goals.
Hall, who also kicked the first goal of the game, briefly regained the lead for the Bulldogs, clinically converting two long distance set shots after taking two athletic diving marks.
Sydney's midfield took control after the long break.
Goals to Ben McGlynn, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Bird ensured the home team was rewarded for their dominance.
Bird's fourth in the final quarter blew the buffer out to 32 points and while the Bulldogs battled hard they never got within three goals again.
The Bulldogs suffered a blow in the second quarter, when Daniel Cross was stretchered off the ground with a split nose and lip and concussion.