GEELONG has kept pace with the top four by scoring a 13-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in miserable conditions at Simonds Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Cats kicked seven of the first eight goals, opening a 34-point lead midway through the second quarter.
Although heavy rain made the contest a slog from there, the Bulldogs refused to go down without a fight.
If not for a few misses in the last quarter, Brendan McCartney's men might well have snatched a remarkable win.
But as it does so often in close games, Geelong did enough to haul itself over the line, prevailing 10.9 (69) to 7.14 (56).
One thing Chris Scott's boys didn't win was the free-kick count, which finished 25 to 13 in the Bulldogs' favour, much to the dismay of the navy blue and white faithful.
The Cats remain fifth on the ladder, but their 11-4 record is the equal of second-placed Hawthorn.
Given the rain that fell for most of the game, Scott and his fellow coaches made a wise call beforehand when they withdrew big man Dawson Simpson and left Hamish McIntosh and Mark Blicavs to carry the rucking load.
James Kelly was also a late out due to soreness with Jed Bews and Brad Hartman coming into the side.
The conditions were far more suited to running players like Steve Johnson, who returned to form by collecting 25 disposals and laying 14 tackles.
Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, who was tagged by Liam Picken, and Jimmy Bartel, who finished with a game-high 15 tackles, were other dominant midfielders for the Cats.
In his 150th game, Harry Taylor revelled in the wet conditions, as did fellow defender Jared Rivers.
Duncan, Tom Hawkins and Shane Kersten led the way on the scoreboard with two goals each.
Emerging half-forward Jordan Murdoch had a mixed night. He produced a contender for the miss of the year in the second quarter, but made amends with a running goal in the third.
First-year player Marcus Bontempelli produced another eye-catching performance for the Bulldogs.
'The Bont' finished with 21 disposals, 10 tackles and two brilliant goals.
Fellow midfielders Tom Liberatore and Ryan Griffen, who returned after a week out with a back problem, also stood out.
However, the conditions made it a tough debut for burly key forward Jack Redpath, who ended the match with only five touches.
The Dogs will no doubt be looking forward to a dose of sunshine when they host Gold Coast in Cairns next Saturday.
The Cats also have a six-day break before taking on Melbourne at the MCG.
GEELONG 3.3 7.5 9.8 10.9 (69)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.4 3.6 6.11 7.14 (56)
GOALS
Geelong: Duncan 2, Kersten 2, Hawkins 2, Bartel, Johnson, Christensen, Murdoch
Western Bulldogs: Crameri 2, Bontempelli 2, Dahlhaus, Griffen, Hunter
BEST
Geelong: Johnson, Duncan, Taylor, Motlop, Bartel, Rivers
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Griffen, Dahlhaus, Minson
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Brad Hartman replaced George Horlin-Smith at three-quarter time
Western Bulldogs: Jackson Macrae replaced Mark Austin at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Hosking, Mitchell
Official crowd: 24,766 at Simonds Stadium
