The Swans paid the ultimate price for ill-discipline in their defensive half, going down to the resurgent Western Bulldogs at a drizzly Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The Bulldogs opened up a crucial 31-to-17 lead in the first quarter, the Swans won the second term by three points and the third was even at 25 apiece, setting up a thrilling final term that began with Kieren Jack's snapped goal closing the gap to five points.

Three behinds  followed for Sydney, including a Kurt Tippett set shot from 20 metres that cannoned into the post, before substitute Harry Cunningham got a shot away to put the Swans in front 14 minutes into the final period.

In the 25th minute, however, the crowd of 25,541 was stunned when Easton Wood leapt athletically to poke the ball over the line, despite the attention of Jeremy Laidler, who was playing his 50th game.

A wicked battle ensued as Sydney threw everything at the visitors. Yet, the Bulldogs were resolute, holding on for their first win at the SCG since 2008 and continuing their promising early season form.

Lance Franklin kicked three goals for Sydney, Adam Goodes in his return from the reserves kicked two, as did Tippett. Dan Hannebery amassed 37 possession and 11 tackles, Tom Mitchell, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy were each superb in the greasy conditions. Sydney had seven more clearances, made 16 more tackles and won the hit-outs 75 to 36, with Mike Pyke grabbing 59 taps.

But it was the Dogs' day, with Liam Picken - with 32 possessions and 12 tackles - Luke Dahlhaus and Bob Murphy leading a  four-quarter effort across the list. Young star Marcus Bontempelli kicked two goals, had 23 touches and six tackles.

The story for the Swans could be their poor choices coming out of defence, which had them chasing the game all afternoon.

Seething from their poor start last round and with rain threatening at the SCG, the Swans needed to get off to a strong start and they seemed on track with early goals to Goodes and Franklin on the back of six inside 50s to nil in the first 10 minutes.

Then the defensive howlers began, and by some of Sydney's most experienced backmen - Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith - opening the door for five unanswered Bulldogs goals.

Former Giants player Tom Boyd added another for visitors at the start of the second term.

However, with the difference 21 points, Sydney began winning the majority of contested possessions and managed to convert that pressure into goals to Tippett and Franklin after good lead-up work by Mitchell and Lewis Jetta. Better accuracy around that stage, however, would have put Sydney ahead.

Lukas Webb led the response for the Bulldogs but his three shots at goal yielded only two behinds. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs halted Sydney's march and held an 11-point half-time lead.

Another string of defensive errors culminated in Boyd scoring soon after the break for the Dogs.

Franklin and Tippett hit back for Sydney to bring them back to within just five points before a brace to Mitch Honeychurch, more punishment for Sydney's turnovers, put the Bulldogs out again by 17.

The visitors brought Nathan Hrovat in off the substitute's bench for ruckman Ayce Cordy and, shortly afterwards, Cunningham came in for Sydney in place of Dean Towers.

Closing in on three-quarter-time, Gary Rohan provided what seemed a critical a spark for the Swans when he smacked through a free kick from 55 metres, bringing the crowd to life. Goodes capitalised on the momentum shift in the 29th minute to score his second and again Sydney was within five points.

However, as was becoming the story of the day, yet another errant kick from defence, this time by Dane Rampe, was cut off by Bontempelli and he gained his second from a kick-in intercept to put the Bulldogs ahead 69 to 58 at the last change.