Western Bulldogs take thrilling game to wire against mid-strength Geelong outfit

The Dogs have taken the reigning premiers to the wire in a thrilling rollercoaster of a game that saw a Test cricket legend’s son kick a goal on debut.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Tom Stewart of the Cats celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2023 AFL Round 12 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on June 3, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A wayward Western Bulldogs have failed to capitalise on its advantage over a depleted Geelong midfield, succumbing to a 23-point defeat in a fast paced clash at Marvel Stadium.

Again missing key duo Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie, the Cats were beaten in the contested ball but rediscovered the brutal forward half efficiency they played with a month ago to snap their three-game losing streak and hand the Dogs a second consecutive loss.

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Geelong kept the Bulldogs goalless from the 10 minute mark of the third term and sailed home with the final six goals of the game as Jeremy Cameron got back to his freewheeling best in the forward half, gathering nine disposals and laying off two goal assists in a clinical final quarter performance.

Tim English and Tom Liberatore were relentless at stoppages for the Bulldogs, with English claiming 12 marks in a towering performance, but the Bulldogs could not make the most of their opportunities in the second half and were left to rue straightforward missed set shots.

Ed Richards was subbed out of the game before the final break with a hamstring injury in a major blow for the Bulldogs, with the left-footer in career best form before the setback.

GRYAN THE GIVER

Along with Demons star Christian Petracca, Gryan Miers is hurtling towards Jason Akermanis’ record 44 goal assists in a season at breakneck speed.

Miers had 18 goal assists and just the one goal to his name heading into Saturday night, and his decision making around the goals suggests he is far more comfortable laying off the shots to his teammates, twice feeding Jeremy Cameron in the first half and finishing with a game high three goal assists.

The chief Cats creator was forced into a shot though when Tom Hawkins selflessly sent him into an open goal early in the third term.

TRELOAR JUMP SCARE

Western Bulldogs fans were reeling as Adam Treloar, in his first game back after a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury, came from the ground at the seven minute mark and went straight into the rooms with medical staff.

Treloar was not seen again for 10 minutes as sub Lachlan McNeil warmed up on the sidelines, but Bulldogs fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the injury plagued midfielder re-emerged with his left calf heavily strapped and ran back on.

Despite spending a third of the opening term in the rooms Treloar was one of the Bulldogs’ most influential, gathering six possessions, three clearances and a goal.

FIRST QUARTER FRENZY

The Bulldogs and Cats traded 10 goals in a scintillating opening term, including three majors within 90 seconds of play.

Some Tim English brilliance at consecutive centre bounces gave the Dogs quick forward entries and back-to-back goals, with a classy Adam Treloar finish on the run after a courageous English mark and a superb snap from Bailey Smith bringing Geelong’s midfield vulnerabilities to the fore.

But the Cats had a response whenever the Bulldogs challenged them, and a quick ball inside 50 from the next centre bounce found Tom Hawkins all by himself out the back of a pack, with the veteran nailing a shot across his body.