GVL | ‘The perfect day’: Tatura stuns Swans on day of premiership reunion celebrations

So when Ryan, a member of that famous premiership, win slotted the last of his three majors in a game that only those inside the four walls of Tatura knew the importance of — it was understandable why the noise was at a fever-pitch.

For an outfit that has endured a challenging season — one that saw the round-16 triumph lift it to three wins — this was its ‘final’.

Tatura coach Paul Kirby said it was a win that would not be forgotten any time soon.

“We sort of set it up at the start of the week that this was our final,” the 2012 premiership ruckman said.

“We knew we had to respond from the previous week and it helped we had the support of the club, the support of the past players and premiership reunion.

“I’m so happy we were able to get the win on what was such a big day for the club.

“To be in the rooms after the game, with all the past players and supporters was a special feeling.

“Small wins like that are massive, especially when we have struggled this season. It was the perfect day.”

Tatura entered the clash with many pundits expecting the visitors to clinch a third win in four weeks.

The Swans were also celebrating the 100th senior match for star midfielder and spiritual leader BJ Squire.

Unfortunately for Squire and the Swans supporters, the day would not end in celebrations.

Tatura booted the opening goal of the contest, however, the Swans replied with the next three of the contest to lead by one straight kick at the first break.

The two outfits suffered injury setbacks in the opening quarter, with Swans’ Quade Johnstone and Tatura ruck Aubrey Coote suffering lower-leg injuries.

Coote’s injury forced versatile talent Ryan into the fray.

Ryan, who has assisted in the ruck role throughout the 2022 season, dominated the ruck contests and caught the eye with his marking and goal-kicking accuracy.

But he wasn’t alone in the second-quarter blitz.

From onballer Billy Cooper, who slotted two of Tatura’s seven goals in the term, to Mitch Elliott, Tom Sullivan, Michael Archer and emerging talents Sean McAllister and Will Russell, it was an extensive list of contributors for the Bulldogs.

Even teenage debutants Charlie Murdoch and Liam Scopelliti each had moments of brilliance and impact.

The intensity from Tatura was high and the Swans — without playing coach Andrew Riordan, Rylen Damianopoulos and their Murray Bushranger young guns — were unable to get the game on their terms and they settled for a 15.8 (98) to 10.8 (68) defeat.

“We had a big emphasis before the game that no matter what happened we keep our heads up and we do the team things,” Kirby said.

“We were challenged there in the first quarter, but the boys to their credit responded really well in the second term.

“Young Charlie Murdoch put his body on the line and copped a big hit, but got back up straight away and that motivated the team.

“I said before the game I don’t want two or three to have to be the clear pick of best-on I wanted 22 who played their role and that’s what we got.”

Despite the entire team putting in the hard yards, it was hard to disagree that Ryan wasn’t the best performer on the field.

With a throng of premiership teammates cheering him on, the Bulldog favourite ensured the post-match celebrations would replicate that of the 2012 triumph.

“Buffa played one of the best games I’ve seen him play,” Kirby said.

“Unfortunately Aubs (Aubrey Coote) went down early, but Buffa stepped up and dominated around the ground.

“His ability to read the play is amazing, he knows how to set up behind the ball and he gets into good spots when the ball goes forward.”