From the AFL website

Lin Jong had his 'good' left shoulder strapped instead of his injured right one

LIN JONG'S strategy of strapping his healthy shoulder, instead of the shoulder with a plate in it, helped the Western Bulldogs midfielder dominate the VFL Grand Final in a best on ground performance. 

Jong feared his season was over after breaking his collarbone just over a fortnight ago in the Dogs' elimination final against West Coast.

The 23-year-old was in tears on the bench as his side pulled off an upset victory. The club now finds itself in a Grand Final against the Sydney Swans on Saturday.

Back on the field just 16 days after surgery, Jong won the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in the VFL Grand Final as Footscray finished 31-point winners against the

 Casey Scorpions. Jong picked up 29 disposals – an equal team-high, with Koby Stevens. 

He had his left shoulder strapped in a ploy to avoid attention on the injured part of his body, with the right side the actual site of his injury.

"Maybe it was a bit of a plan. I think my left one is sore now though," he said on Sunday after the game.

The Scorpions ensured Jong did not have an easy day. Lynden Dunn tested the injury out after Jong hit the post with a set shot following the quarter-time siren, with the pair's clash sparking a melee. 

"That's fair enough though, that's the sport. I put my hand up to play and I knew what was coming," he said.

"The boys tested the collarbone out a bit but I got through unscathed." 

Jong said he was concerned about how he would hold up leading in to the game but was determined to play in the same manner he normally does, with the inside midfielder known for his toughness. 

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried (pre-game). That's natural, but once I got into it … it was no dramas," he said.

"I couldn't let the collarbone deter me from doing anything different so I tried to do that as best as I could."

He thought he would not return this year after hurting himself against the Eagles. 

"I assumed the worst and this is probably the best-case scenario with how it's turned out. I was probably carrying on a bit in Perth," he said.

His contract expires at the end of the season but Jong said that was of no concern to him at the moment.

"We've still got footy to play so I'm not worried about that at all," he said.

Jong said he had not considered the prospect of picking up two premiership medals in a week.

"I haven't thought that far ahead. I'm still celebrating and I'm pretty ecstatic at the moment with the VFL win," he said.

The 176cm Long played in defence for the Allies in the AFL Under-18 National Championships earlier this year and has scored an invite to the state combine.

Long’s ability to swiftly adapt to life in the forward half — he has booted 11 majors from six VFL senior games this year — combined with his versatility should make him an attractive option for AFL recruiters.

“These young boys have these breakout games, where they have those moments within quarters or within matches where they probably realise they belong at the level,” Footscray coach Ashley Hansen said.

“I thought (Long’s) forward-half pressure was unreal. That really set up a lot of our play early on in the match.

“Then for him to capitalise with some goals late in the game was good reward for his hard work.”

The free-wheeling Dogs displayed unrelenting pressure mixed with run and carry and a splash of panache.

It proved too much for the stunned Magpies, who conceded nine unanswered goals in the first half as Footscray established a 41-point lead at the main break.

But the rampaging Dogs piled on 11 consecutive majors in the second half and kicked 10 goals to one in the final half-hour to record a 27.19 (181) to 9.8 (62) triumph.

They will meet either Casey Scorpions or Williamstown in Sunday’s decider at Etihad Stadium as they chase a second flag in three seasons.

“We executed the plan really well,” Hansen said.

“I guess playing against Collingwood three weeks previously gave us a really good idea of how to go about it.

“Certainly the first quarter of that previous match highlighted what you can’t do against them, which is let them control the ball and give them time and space, particularly in the back half.

“To the boys’ credit, they were just sensational. Their intensity over the four quarters, the exclamation mark to turn it into a 119-point victory really showed a strong desire for their behaviours to carry over to next week.”

Lukas Webb was influential in the middle and iced his performance with three goals, while Mitch Honeychurch and Koby Stevens also starred.

Ever-consistent skipper Jordan Russell and Brad Lynch controlled the back half, while Tom Campbell and Will Minson combined strongly in the ruck.

The Dogs experienced an indifferent start to the campaign, winning one of their opening four games.

But with the club’s AFL list now healthier, Hansen’s side is peaking at the right time.

“With a lot of injury brings a lot of opportunities for our VFL-listed players and we could explore their potential,” Hansen said.

“Our whole squad has contributed to our team making the grand final and it is going to be really tough at selection this week.”

Hansen said midfielder Nathan Hrovat, who has battled ankle and shoulder complaints this year, would be given “every chance” to take to the field in the decider.

“Obviously at Etihad, with his ball use and creativity, he will be an important player for us if he’s right for selection,” he said.

Williamstown and Casey Scorpions will contest the other preliminary final today.