Geelong recovered from a 36-point deficit to defeat a gallant Western Bulldogs by 11 points at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

The Bulldogs, who finished the game with two fit players on the bench after Laitham Vandermeer and Easton Wood succumbed to hamstring injuries, were overrun by the Cats in the last quarter. 

Geelong kicked five goals to two in the final term to secure the win, including the last three of the game, after the Dogs held a 10-point lead at three quarter time.

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in Friday's loss to Geelong, for your chance to win a $20 McCafe VISA Card.

06:38

Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v Geelong

Replay all the action from the Western Bulldogs' Friday night clash against Geelong at Metricon Stadium.

The Bulldogs led for almost the entirety of the match after a scintillating opening, but the Cats hit the lead at the 19-minute mark of the final quarter when Tom Hawkins kicked truly from a set shot.

The loss leaves the Dogs with seven wins and seven losses after 14 rounds, ahead of a bye in Round 15.

Their finals destiny will be revealed in the last three games of the 2020 campaign, in matches against West Coast, Hawthorn and Fremantle.

Lachie Hunter kicked a goal and led the possession count for the Bulldogs with 27, adding 10 score involvements to be his team’s most influential player.

Jack Macrae (26 disposals) also found plenty of the ball, while Aaron Naughton booted two goals and took four contested marks.

MATCH CENTRE | View player and team stats from the Bulldogs and Cats clash.

00:36

Ripper Richards snaps a beauty

Ed Richards kicks the Bulldogs fifth straight goal of the opening quarter, a classy left foot snap.

Patrick Dangerfield was Geelong’s most consistent performer with 32 possessions.

The Bulldogs could do little wrong in the opening quarter, kicking six unanswered goals from individual sources as their pressure and ball movement proved too slick for their opposition.

From there though, the Cats gradually worked their way into the contest, reducing the margin to 18 points after kicking the only three goals of the second term, and to under two goals by the final change.

The teams went goal-for-goal early in a frenetic last stanza, until Geelong kicked clear in the final minutes.

All The Highlights & Interviews
  • 02:36

    Marcus Bontempelli | 'It's pretty flattening'

    Hear from Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli following the Round 14 loss against Geelong on Friday night at the Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 08:24

    Beveridge | 'We won't get down on ourselves'

    Watch Senior Coach Luke Beveridge speak to the media after the Western Bulldogs' narrow loss to Geelong at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 06:38

    Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v Geelong

    Replay all the action from the Western Bulldogs' Friday night clash against Geelong at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Ripper Richards snaps a beauty

    Ed Richards kicks the Bulldogs fifth straight goal of the opening quarter, a classy left foot snap.

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Hayden hammers it home

    Hayden Crozier hits the scoreboard early for the Bulldogs in his 50th game for the Club.

    AFL
  • 03:32

    Match Committee | Round 14

    Sam Edmund and Liam Pickering bring you all the latest team selection news ahead of the Round 14 clash against Geelong.

    AFL
  • 17:11

    Luke Beveridge | 'It's a supreme challenge for us'

    Hear from Luke Beveridge in the lead up to the Round 14 clash against Geelong on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 07:48

    Mitch Wallis | 'The ball's in our court now'

    Hear from Bulldogs forward Mitch Wallis as he speaks to the media following the Round 13 win over Melbourne on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 09:29

    AFL 360 | Luke Beveridge

    Luke Beveridge joins Gerard and Robbo on Fox Footy's AFL 360 on Monday August 25 ahead of the Round 14 clash against Geelong Cats.

    AFL
  • 01:19

    Medical Room | Latest on Duryea, Cordy, Suckling

    Hear the latest injury news on Rhylee West, Cal Porter, Taylor Duryea, Matt Suckling and Zaine Cordy thanks to Elastoplast.

    AFL

MATCH DETAILS

Western Bulldogs           6.3          6.6          7.7          9.7 (61)

Geelong Cats                     0.3          3.6          5.9          10.12 (72)

 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, Dunkley, Crozier, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Richards, McLean, Hunter
Geelong Cats: Hawkins 2, Miers 2, Rohan 2, Stanley, O’Connor, Dahlhaus, Duncan 

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Hunter, Daniel, Crozier, Johannisen, Macrae
Geelong: Dangerfield, Stewart, Guthrie, Rohan, Parfitt, Henry

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in Friday's loss to Geelong, for your chance to win a $20 McCafe VISA Card.

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (hamstring), Wood (hamstring)
Geelong: Tuohy (ribs)

AFL Round 14 | Western Bulldogs v Geelong

The Western Bulldogs hosted Geelong at Metricon Stadium under the Friday night lights, and despite a fast start were unable to hold the lead to the final siren, falling by 11-points.
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