The Western Bulldogs have ended their 62-year AFL premiership drought with a pulsating 22-point grand final win over Sydney.
After five lead changes, the Bulldogs pulled clear in the second half of an epic contest to win 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67) on Saturday at the MCG.
It is only the Bulldogs' second premiership, following their 1954 win.
It is also the first premiership for Luke Beveridge as a senior coach, only two years after joining the Bulldogs when they were in crisis.
Bulldogs players and fans were in tears as the longest current AFL premiership drought finally ended.
They are the also the first team to win the AFL flag from seventh place.
There was high drama in the last quarter as the Swans, who trailed by eight points at the last break, twice reduced the margin to a point.
After a goal to Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen was disallowed on video review at 18 minutes, Tom Boyd kicked a booming goal three minutes later from outside 50m.
That put the Bulldogs 15 points up and, after Sydney's Ben McGlynn missed a set shot, Liam Picken's goal at 26 minutes was the exclamation mark on a historic win.
The Bulldogs led by four points at quarter-time and were two points behind at the main break, after the Swans had threatened to take control of the match.
Johannisen, with an outstanding 33-possession game off half-back, won the Norm Smith Medal as best afield.
Ruck-forward Tom Boyd also was pivotal, kicking three goals and taking six contested marks.
Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy was easily best afield at halftime with 22 disposals, but he did not have as much influence on the game in the second half and finished with 34 possessions.
Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae was massive in the decisive second half with 19 possessions and 32 for the game.
Sydney star Lance Franklin hurt his ankle in the first quarter and had to leave the field.
While he returned and kicked a huge goal in the last quarter, Bulldogs defender Joel Hamling had the game of his life to quell Franklin's influence.
Veteran defender Dale Morris laid a crucial tackle on Franklin in the last term that led directly to Boyd's decisive goal.
