The Western Bulldogs survived a major scare from the Gold Coast Suns to sneak home by five points in a low-scoring arm-wrestle at Metricon Stadium.
Eager to impress in their first primetime match, the Suns took it right up to the Bulldogs and had their opportunities throughout the night, winning the inside 50 count 47-37.
Just two points separated the teams at every change before the Dogs booted the first two goals of the final quarter to cling on and clinch their fifth win of the campaign.
Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo believes this was one that got away from the Suns.
“I think they will be disappointed, that is one that slipped away from them,” Dal Santo told AFL Nation.
“They are the ones where you look back at the end of the year and go, ‘We let that slip’.”
Gold Coast could fall out of the eight by the end of the round, while the Dogs move into third spot on the ladder.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Moment: Dogs goal after Rankine poster
Gold Coast young gun Izak Rankine’s snap early in the last quarter slammed into the post – a goal would have put the Suns in front.
It proved to be a huge moment in the match.
From the resulting kick-in, the Bulldogs were able to transfer the ball into their attacking 50 with Ed Richards scoring a clever goal off the ground.
Lewis Young made it back-to-back goals for the Dogs moments later to make it a game-high 13-point lead in wet conditions.
It was a critical passage of play in a match that yielded just 13 goals.
Brilliant finish off the deck from Ed Richards! #AFLSunsDogs pic.twitter.com/fvrMByH78G
— AFL (@AFL) July 23, 2020
What's next?
Gold Coast host GWS at Metricon Stadium next Sunday, while the Bulldogs take on reigning premiers Richmond next Wednesday night at the same venue.
FULL SCORE
Gold Coast: 2.1, 3.4, 5.6, 6.10 (46)
Western Bulldogs: 2.3, 3.6, 5.8, 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Rankine, Ellis, Ainsworth
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Liberatore, Lipinski, Johannisen, Wallis, Richards, Young
BEST
Gold Coast: Miller, Greenwood, Swallow, Witts, Sexton
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Smith, Johannisen, Keath, Daniel
Reports: Nil
Injuries
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil