Blitzed by Hawthorn early in the 2014 AFL grand final, fast-starting Sydney are making sure the boot is now firmly on the other foot.Hawthorn ensured the last two grand finals were practically over by halftime thanks to dominant opening terms and the Swans are keen to emulate those feats.In 2014 they kicked five goals to two against Sydney in the first quarter and outscored them six to three in the second to lead by 42 points at halftime.It was more of the same in 2015, when the Hawks kicked five majors to West Coasts one in the opening term and were 31 up by the long break.In the past two weeks, Sydney have burnt off Adelaide and Geelong in similar fashion.They kicked seven goals in the first quarter of both games, having never previously booted more than six in the opening period of a finals fixture.The start will again be crucial when they face the Western Bulldogs in Saturdays grand final at the MCG.We understand the importance of starting well, Sydney ruckman Kurt Tippett told AAP.We always try to focus on our first couple of contests and and then flow from there.As a group, were well aware of how important the start is.The Swans have won 19 out of 25 first quarters, this season and havent trailed by more than 11 points at quarter time of any match.Sydney have kicked five or more goals in eight opening quarters this year, but their defence has also played a big part in their strong starts.Only twice this year have Sydney conceded more than three goals in an opening term, and they still won both games.They have kept five teams goalless till quarter time, among them competition heavy-hitters, Hawthorn, Geelong and Greater Western Sydney.The Bulldogs have also kicked five or more goals eight times in the first quarter, buthave been outscored in 11 of their 25 opening terms.Both clubs are among the top four in the competition in disposals, clearances, stoppages and tackles,I think the first half of footy is going to be red hot, said former Swans and Bulldogs forward Barry Hall.If the Bulldogs can stay with them, and I hope they can, they are a chance.Well see what sort of spirit theyve got in the second half of footy.They just play games out.. Virat Kohli, Indias captain, made the most of an easy-paced surface to score his 13th Test ton that guided his side to an impressive 267 for 3 at stumps on day one of the third Test against New Zealand in Indore on Saturday.The curator at Holkar Stadium produced a surface laden with cracks and Kohli, after winning his seventh successive toss in Tests, said that the pitch would aid batsmen on the first two days of the Test.Kohlis prediction was spot on, as he joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane to propel the hosts to a commanding total against a team strengthened by the return of their captain, Kane Williamson, who had missed the second Test in Kolkata due to illness. Williamson introduced spin in the fifth over after his seamers failed to extract early bite. The move paid off as Jeetan Patel struck in his first over to dismiss opener Murali Vijay for 10. India went to lunch at 75 for 2 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli at the crease.Mitchell Santner accounted for a well-set Pujara after the hosts had reached the 100-run mark. His dismissal was to be the last of Indias setbacks on the first day, as Kohli and Rahane droppeed anchor.ddddddddddddKohli came into the Test with scores of 44, 3, 4, 9, 18, 9 and 45 in his last seven Test innings. He needed to find form and he did. In Indore, he was solid in defence and used the depth of the crease well against the spinners. What helped him was that he avoided playing extravagant shots that cost him his wicket in the earlier Tests. He didnt offer any clear chances, and the two times he edged the ball, it eluded the fielders.He brought up his 50 from 108 balls, shortly after tea. Kohli and Rahane added 167 runs in the 54 overs they batted together. Kohlis unbeaten 103, that came from 191 balls, included ten fours. His partner, Rahane, ended the day with an unbeaten 79.The 18,000-strong crowd, present at Holkar Stadium, hosting its first ever Test match, were treated to an impressive batting display from Indias top order - led by Kohli. India will now look to further compound New Zealands woes, on the second day, by adding to the already sizeable first-innings total.Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
