Bulldogs down Eagles as Geelong’s dominant run continues and Saints fan hopes

A thrilling finish to the AFL season is certain with the race for positions at the top and the bottom of the eight tight.

Marcus Bontempelli led the Bulldogs to a thrilling last-minute win over West Coast. Picture: Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs claimed their most significant win of the season when they edged West Coast by two points on the Gold Coast on Sunday night in a critical result for both clubs.

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli booted the match winning goal with just over three minutes left on the scoreboard to clinch a tough affair 6.13 (49) to 7.5 (47).

The kick was scrutinised closely by the goal review official given Eagle Jeremy McGovern’s valiant effort to rush it, but it was ultimately ruled there was insufficient evidence to overturn it.

“I only just gave it enough. There was probably a bee’s dick in it in the end,” Bontempelli said.

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Jack Darling missed with a testing chance to reclaim the lead for the Eagles soon after, with the loss a significant dent to West Coast’s top-four hopes.

It is a costly loss that occurred with Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Elliot Yeo watching from the sidelines.

An enthralling finish to the season looms at the top and bottom end of the eight, as clubs jostle to secure the best possible advantage in the finals.

The Bulldogs are on the verge of the eight and face Hawthorn and Fremantle in the final two rounds.

Melbourne will join the Giants and the Bulldogs on 32 points should they defeat Fremantle on Monday night in Cairns. GWS has a game in hand and can further their hopes if they defeat Adelaide on Tuesday.

The Eagles’ hopes of securing a top-two finish, which would guarantee a qualifying final possibly played in Perth, now appear dashed.

That is not the case for Geelong, who blitzed the Bombers by 66 points at the Gabba in a demolition that ended Essendon’s finals hopes.

Geelong’s Tom Hawkins celebrates a goal against Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

Their dazzling display in Brisbane whets the appetite for an enthralling clash against premiership favourites Richmond on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

Dual North Melbourne premiership captain Wayne Carey believes they are the team to beat for the premiership after they posted a sixth win in succession.

“I think the Cats certainly go into favouritism. This is an unbelievable outfit,” he said on Triple M.

Tom Hawkins extended his lead in the Coleman Medal to 10 after kicking four goals as the Cats surpassed the century for just the second time this season.

Hawkins described the result as pleasing but, in a clear sign of the Cats hunger, lamented a five-minute lapse in the second term when assessing the victory.

“The first half was outstanding (and) we probably would have loved to have finished off a little bit better than we did but … it was pleasing,” he said.

The Cats are firing and have personnel sitting on the sidelines, which should strengthen them further in their push for a first premiership since 2011.

Gary Ablett watched the success on the Gold Coast, where he is in quarantine.

The Cats have taken a cautious approach with skipper Joel Selwood, who has missed the last three matches with a niggling knee injury.

Ruckman Rhys Stanley missed against the Bombers, so too star defender Zach Tuohy and former Saint Jack Steven, which underlines their depth.

It was a lamentable performance by Essendon, who were beaten before quarter-time in a match they needed to win to keep finals hopes alive.

The Bombers are limping towards the end of coach John Worsfold’s time at the club, with clashes against Port Adelaide and Melbourne rounding out his tenure.

All premiership contenders have selection issues leading into the finals, though the problems of the leading premiership contenders are preferable to others.

Similarly to the Cats, who have champions waiting in the wings, Richmond is set to be boosted by the return of Dion Prestia and Shane Edwards, among others.

The Lions will wrest back second spot should they defeat the Suns on Wednesday night.

But in a significant blow, they will be without valuable vice-captain Harris Andrews until a preliminary final because of a badly injured hamstring.

Port Adelaide have lost classy youngster Zak Butters until the finals after he was banned for rough conduct against Kangaroo Jy Simpkin on Saturday.

Earlier on Sunday St Kilda retained sixth position when they edged Hawthorn by 14 points after conceding the opening three goals of the match.

The Saints’ hold on a spot in the eight is not yet certain given they face West Coast and the Giants in the last two matches.

The triumph makes it harder for rivals to dislodge them, though Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was scarcely complimentary of the Saints’ style.

“In terms of trying to win big games and score heavily, it’ll be interesting to see whether that works for them in the long run,” he said.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten’s response was succinct. “We’ll focus on what we can do and maybe they could too,” he said.