It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t convincing. But the Western Bulldogs won’t care on Saturday night as they saluted by the skin of their teeth against an inspired GWS outfit by five points at Marvel Stadium.
The Bulldogs had to win on Saturday afternoon in order to keep their finals hopes alive, and the clash – with that hope in mind – had Dogs fans on the edge of their seats for the four quarters.
While they’ll walk away pleased, the Dogs remain 1.7 per cent behind Carlton and need to bridge that gap and hope the Blues go winless to play finals.
What a finish!#AFLDogsGiants pic.twitter.com/8Emqn7r1pz
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
Noted rivals, the spectacle of the game lost a bit of spice when GWS co-captain Toby Greene was ruled out during the week through injury.
But no one told the 44 players on Marvel Stadium, with the contest a physical and exhausting one.
The Giants were out on their feet in the last quarter, but showed grit far more deserving of a team higher on the ladder to push the Bulldogs all the way as Luke Beveridge’s side failed to make the most of their opportunities.
Marcus Bontempelli and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan both enjoyed strong games but missed chances to ice the game when hitting the post in the final terms.
While the Giants had forays forward late in the game, their crumbers were nowhere to be seen and the Dogs did enough to keep their finals hopes alive another week.
GWS owned the ball to finish with 165 marks, following a clear blueprint to dismantle the Dogs.
Josh Kelly played a blinder and finished with 35 possessions, 12 marks and 600 metres gained, and he was well supported by Harry Perryman (23 touches, 14 tackles), Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals) and Nick Haynes (25 disposals, 15 marks).
But for the victors, it was superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli who got the job done in the final term, while the importance of Ed Richards’ run can’t be overstated in the final term.
An even first-half scrap was followed by a momentum-swinging third term. Two goals to the Giants saw the third lead change of the game, but the next four were in the Dogs’ favour.
With everything on the line for the home side and the Giants with nothing to play for, the Dogs looked set to run away with the game as the margin extended to three straight kicks.
Bailey Smith gets the Dogs fans roaring!#AFLDogsGiants pic.twitter.com/106jTMC2hF
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
But a spirited comeback had GWS in front with one term to play to set up an enthralling final term between the two rivals.
The scrap became a nail-biting one late in the game and GWS will walk away with the respect of the competition for the performance.
But the headlines remain with the Dogs, who have kept their finals dreams alive.
Meanwhile, a disappointing second half cost North Melbourne as Adelaide stormed to victory by 27 points.
In a high-scoring affair, the Roos kicked 8.9 to lead by eight points at the main break. But Leigh Adams’ troops could conjure just two goals in the second half.
In a midfield missing Jason Horn-Francis, Luke Davies-Uniacke continued his rise with another of the greatest individual games this season.
LDU is unbelievable! #AFLCrowsNorth pic.twitter.com/bEOsMXa8TH
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
The 23-year-old is well and truly enjoying a breakout season, and in front of the Adelaide Oval faithful he put on a clinic of 37 disposals (15 contested) and 740 metres gained.
Jy Simpkin was also influential with 30 disposals and 10 clearances, while Cameron Zurhaar could have enjoyed a huge day after kicking 2.3.
Ben Cunnington also gathered 17 touches in his first game since Round 19 last year after overcoming testicular cancer.
We're not crying, you are 😭
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
Welcome back, Ben!#AFLCrowsNorth pic.twitter.com/3ZQ97JIU1Y
This is everything ❤️#AFLCrowsNorth | @FOXFOOTY pic.twitter.com/WMFd3eQN7y
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
For the home side, who kicked eight goals in the second half including five in the final term, Jordan Dawson played arguably his best game for the club.
The former Swan has had a strong season at West Lakes but dominated on Saturday, finishing with 33 possessions, nine marks and a whopping 834 metres gained.
Darcy Fogarty also enjoyed four goals to take his season tally to 30.
Darcy Fogarty has three!#AFLCrowsNorth pic.twitter.com/A9owGdWiyw
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2022
Adelaide moves out of the bottom four courtesy of the win, while the Roos remain in the wooden spoon position.