A Jason Johannisen goal with two seconds remaining has sealed a four-point win for the Western Bulldogs and denied Sydney a place at the top of the AFL ladder.

The Saturday clash was billed as the match of the round and it lived up to the hype, with Johannisen’s heroics sewing up a 13.5 (83) to 11.13 (79) victory at the SCG.

It was the Bulldogs’ return to the ground for the first time since their epic win in round five last season.

Johannisen was surprisingly quick off the halfback line in his first match since tearing a hamstring tendon 11 weeks ago as the visitors kept plenty of numbers behind the ball to restrict the Swans’ movement.

It was an effective tactic that helped former Swan Shane Biggs kick the game’s first goal from outside 50m.

Although Lance Franklin (five goals, 21 disposals) and Jarrad McVeigh steered the hosts to the lead at the first break, the Dogs surged ahead via a three-goal second-quarter flurry within the space of four minutes.

That included two from Jake Stringer within 80 seconds, his second an explosive snap shot on a sharp angle that would rate as one of the goals of the season.

Franklin ensured the Swans didn’t trail for long, matching Stringer at his own game with two of his own majors in as many minutes.

The contest had opened up – but it spelt trouble for the Swans.

The Dogs stepped up their inside 50 efficiency to snatch a 13-point edge in a dominant third term, Tom Libertore scoring two of five unanswered goals and having a hand in the other three.

That was despite Luke Parker’s impressive performance which included a match-high 34 disposals and 23 handballs.

For only the second time this campaign, the Swans were behind at three-quarter time.

Franklin rammed home two rapid goals to claim a one-point lead that was soon extended to a shaky three points.

And under pressure, with the full-time whistle threatening to sound, Johannisen stepped up for his moment.

The win lifts the Bulldogs to fifth place while the Swans remain second behind Hawthorn.