The Western Bulldogs have beaten Geelong for the first time since 2009 in a drama-packed encounter that had everything, including a kick after the siren, and ultimately a two-point victory.
For the second week running it came down to the dying seconds for the Dogs, but the result was different this time, Harry Taylor’s kick from 40 broke left, and Etihad Stadium erupted.
The game had everything. Matthew Suckling was a late-withdrawal, replaced by Lin Jong, whose night ended just as quickly after a heavy tackle from Sam Menegola.
There were a couple of goal of the year candidates; Ed Richards’ toe-poke in traffic at the start of the fourth term was spectacular and Billy Gowers mark and goal in one motion in the square was probably worth the price of admission alone.
But the story of the night was the Bulldogs’ pressure. The brought it last weekend against North and the upped it again on Friday night, as they chased, clawed and scrapped their way through every contest, and turned Etihad into a veritable pressure cooker.
Going the other way, the Dogs repeatedly emerged from congestion with the football and fire three or four handballs, like a pinball machine, until they found a teammate in space.
It was enough to have the faithful giving the team a standing ovation at the end of the third quarter, even with the Dogs 2 points down.
The Dogs’ commitment was probably best exemplified by Josh Dunkley running 30 metres at full-speed, sticking a mark in between two Cats and then laying exhausted on the deck.
It was enough for Mitch Duncan to tap him on the head and acknowledge the effort.
He would go back and kick it, one of multiple highlights for 21-year-old, who spent equal time shadowing Joel Selwood and getting his own footy, gathering 27 touches, five clearances and two goals in a best on ground performance.
But to highlight one player would be unfair, the Dogs had winners all over the ground. Luke Dahlhaus (29 disposals, eight marks, five tackles) submitted a vintage performance, while Toby McLean (25 disposals, 11 tackles) continued his breakout season, and Ed Richards continues to wow onlookers.
The 18-year-old had just the 13 touches, but was lethal every time he went near the football, and is becoming even more so around goal, adding three more to his career tally.
The Dogs led by as many 24-points in an electric opening to the third term before the Cats slammed on the next four to set up a grandstand finish.
An Ablett goal at the 26-minute mark might have made a few nervous but the Dogs held on for their fifth win of the season.
Western Bulldogs 4.2 9.4 13.5 16.7 (103)
Geelong 4.3 8.4 13.7 15.11 (101)
GOALS: Richards 3, Schache 2, Dunkley 2, Williams 2, Bontempelli 2, Gowers 2, Wallis, McLean, Cordy,
BEST: Dunkley, Dahlhaus, McLean, Bontempelli, Wallis, Lipinski
DISPOSALS: Dahlhaus 29, Dunkley 27, McLean, Lipinski 25, Wallis, Hunter 24
Official crowd: 29,499 at Etihad Stadium
