The Western Bulldogs have gone down to Geelong by 11 points in a wet and wild affair at Mars Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a final-quarter surge which saw the Dogs come within striking distance with 90 seconds to go, a late dribbler from the Cats sealed the 3.8 (26) to 6.1 (37) result.

The Cats kicked three goals in four minutes to start the game, the hat-trick of majors proving the difference in the close encounter.

Having rained cats and dogs earlier in the day, the surface of Mars Stadium saw puddles of water visible across large portions of the ground. The slippery conditions didn't seem to bother the Cats, who came out firing.

Georgie Prespakis (26 disposals, six clearances) was instrumental to the fast start, winning four centre bounce clearances in the first quarter, while midfielder Amy McDonald and Becky Webster kicked their first goals of the season.

Midway through the quarter, the Dogs settled and finally ventured forward. Fearless winger Rylie Wilcox scored the Dogs' first from a free kick after receiving head high contact from the ruthless Rachel Kearns.

Scoring slowed in the second term as the game morphed into an armwrestle. The conditions made it difficult to maintain possession, Geelong scoring the only goal in the second term through Kate Surman.

Finally, the Dogs got on the board when Round 10 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominee Emma McDonald broke the run of Geelong goals with an impressive long-range set shot bringing the margin back to 15 points with a quarter remaining.

The Dogs lifted in the final term with their season on the line, but Geelong's defence stood strong, restricting the Bulldogs' attempts to score despite the Bulldogs winning inside 50s 13 to four.

They were able to break the Cats' defensive wall, with cool-headed Jess Fitzgerald slotting a set shot from mid-range to bring the Dogs to within a goal.

But Aishling Moloney stood up when the game was in the balance, kicking the sealer, a dribbling goal off the ground.

Elaine Grigg and Elle Bennetts finished with 17 disposals apiece, while Emma McDonald, Jess Fitzgerald (five clearances) and Rylie Wilcox all hit the scoreboard. 

Sarah Poustie laid 11 tackles to go with 11 disposals. 

Water found on Mars

No one was safe from the wet and slippery conditions on Sunday afternoon. Players were sliding everywhere, with the broadcast wing visibly the wettest part of the ground. The ball would slide on at times and at other times just stop in its tracks. Even the umpires weren't spared, a field umpire falling over when awarding a free kick in the second term.

New Cats on the board

Three Cats kicked their first goals of the season with midfielder Amy McDonald, former Port Adelaide and Gold Coast player Kate Surman and Becky Webster all kicking their first majors for 2025. In fact, it was McDonald's and Webster's first goals since 2023, while it was Surman’s first since round 10 last year.

Up next

Both the Western Bulldogs and Geelong have challenging matches to finish the 2025 home and away season. The Western Bulldogs face St Kilda at RSEA Park, while the Cats face Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          1.2     1.4     2.4     3.8 (26)
GEELONG                               3.0     4.1     5.1     6.1 (37)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wilcox, McDonald, Fitzgerald
Geelong: Webster, Surman, Moloney, A.McDonald, Mason, Kenny

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bennetts, Wilcox, McDonald, Gavalas, Fitzgerald
Geelong: Prespakis, A.McDonald, Morrison, Bowen, Moloney

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Geelong: Nil

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 1332 at Mars Stadium