NEWS » andard top-tier performers, even

Coach Luke Beveridge has applauded the Western Bulldogs grit after Jason Johannisens goal in the dying seconds to seal a thrilling four-point AFL win over Sydney.Johannisens heroics after a nine-week injury layoff secured a 13.5 (83) to 11.13 (79) victory on Saturday at the SCG, lifting them to fifth place and denying the Swans top spot on a logjammed ladder.The seesawing clash was the Dogs first return to the ground since their epic triumph by the same margin last season in round five.Its been a happy hunting ground the last two years, Beveridge said.A couple of incredible wins, and tonight is worth about 10, I think.To achieve an experience like we did tonight ... they count for more than normal because you hold your nerve and you keep your faith when the chips are down.It showed a lot of grit (from) our boys, just a brilliant victory.JJ was cool as a cucumber in the end.Johannisen was surprisingly quick off the halfback line in his first appearance in 10 weeks since tearing a hamstring tendon.Despite not playing a reserves match in the lead-up, the 23-year-old took an impressive 20 possessions as the Dogs kept numbers behind the ball to restrict the Swans movement.It was an effective tactic that helped former Swan Shane Biggs kick the games opening goal from outside 50m.Though 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 four minutes.That included two from Jake Stringer in 80 seconds, his second an explosive sharp-angled snap to contend for one of the goals of the season.Franklin ensured the Swans didnt trail for long, matching Stringer with two of his own majors in as many minutes.But as the contest opened up, the Dogs stepped up their inside-50 efficiency to snatch a 13-point edge in a dominant third term.Lachie Hunter and Marcus Bontempelli were relentless but Tom Libertore changed the momentum by scoring two of his teams five unanswered goals and having a hand in the other three.Some of the things he did in that third quarter to put us in the game were brilliant, Beveridge said.That was despite Luke Parkers standout performance with a match-high 34 disposals and 23 handballs.Swans coach John Longmire described Sydneys third quarter as poor.They outhunted us in that third term in contested ball and uncontested ball, but also in clearances.We allowed them to kick six of their goals in the third term which really cost us.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 fulltime about to sound, Johannisen stepped up and delivered.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 Parkers 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.Brock Nelson Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Thomas Hickey Jersey .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-anders-lee-islanders-jersey/ . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Johnny Boychuk Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Tom Kuhnhackl Islanders Jersey . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season.ESPN NFL analyst Darren Woodson (10:30 a.m. ET) and the San Jose Mercury News Tim Kawakami (12 p.m.) join Jeff Dickerson and Jonathan Hood.Text us at 67974 (msg&data rates may apply) or tweet us at @LeBatardShow and @Stugotz790 -- well be with you from 10 a.dddddddddddd. to 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio, ESPNRadio.com and ESPNU. ' ' '