The Western Bulldogs' hopes and dreams of September action are still alive.

The Bulldogs simply had to beat Greater Western Sydney to stay in the hunt for finals and despite finding it difficult to break the game open, the home side found a way to win. 

The five-point victory completed the all-important first part of the equation, the other being a win over Hawthorn next week.

The Bulldogs were tested at every turn by a Giants side determined to play spoiler against their rivals.

06:37

Match Highlights | Bulldogs v GWS

Watch all the highlights from round 22 at Marvel

After falling behind by four points at three-quarter time, Luke Beveridge's charges needed to respond and they did just enough in the final quarter to secure a season-saving five-point win.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had a cool head when it mattered, kicking the solitary goal of the final term to secure the 9.8 (62) to 8.9 (57) win and send the Bulldogs into ninth on the ladder, while adding another enthralling chapter to one of the game's burgeoning modern rivalries.

Caleb Daniel found plenty of the ball with 29 touches, while Josh Dunkley (26) and Bailey Dale (26) continued their consistent seasons in the tight victory.

03:24

Last 2 Minutes | Round 22

Rewatch the tense final moments of the scrap against the Giants

Bailey Williams was the only multiple goal scorer for the Dogs with two majors from the win.

Sam Darcy was again important in his second game in the red, white and blue taking seven marks across his 15 touches.

Now the fate of the Dogs rests in the hands of both Melbourne and Hawthorn; a win from either this weekend against Carlton and Richmond respectively will ensure the Bulldogs will still be in the hunt come the final round of the season, where they will take on the Hawks in Tasmania in another 'must win and hope' game.

WESTERN BULLDOGS                  3.0     4.1     8.2    9.8 (62)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.1     3.3     8.6    8.9 (57)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Williams 2, Naughton, English, Weightman, Dale, Liberatore, Smith, Ugle-Hagan
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 2, Hogan, Ward, Stein, Haynes, Hogan, Keeffe

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Dale, Macrae, Smith, Dunkley, English, Daniel, Bontempelli, Richards
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Coniglio, Himmelberg, Green, Ward, Whitfield, Haynes, Taylor, Perryman

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore (head)
Greater Western Sydney: Keeffe (thigh), Taylor (head), Aleer (head)

MEDICAL SUBS
Western Bulldogs: Roarke Smith
Greater Western Sydney: Xavier O’Halloran replaced Lachie Keeffe in fourth quarter

CROWD
18,301 at Marvel Stadium

Match Highlights
  • 09:15

    Luke Beveridge | Post Match (R22)

    Watch the Bulldogs' press conference after the win against GWS

    AFL
  • 03:24

    Last 2 Minutes | Round 22

    Rewatch the tense final moments of the scrap against the Giants

    AFL
  • 01:30

    Lachie Hunter | 'Important to come back in here with a win'

    Hear from Lachie Hunter after the win against GWS

    AFL
  • 06:37

    Match Highlights | Bulldogs v GWS

    Watch all the highlights from round 22 at Marvel

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Team Song | Round 22

    Watch the boys sing the song after the win against GWS

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Williams and Smith back-to-back goals

    Bailey Williams and Bailey Smith unleashed a flurry of goals in the third quarter

    AFL