The race for the AFL finals will go down to the final game of the season after the Western Bulldogs kept their hopes alive with a 25-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
The Dogs started slowly, but eventually overran the undermanned Cats to leapfrog the GWS Giants into eighth place on the ladder.
It sets the scene for a thrilling finale to the season with the Giants needing to beat Carlton on Sunday night to finish eighth and force the Dogs out.
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The Cats, who were missing a host of senior players and had nothing to play for, looked like they were the team chasing a finals spot with a ferocious first-half performance.
But the Bulldogs flipped the script after half-time with three goals inside two minutes turning the game on its head.
Geelong fought back to take the lead heading into the final change, but the Dogs dominated the last quarter to seal the important win.
It was their first at the venue since 2003.
The loss caps a disappointing season for reigning premiers Geelong, who have missed the finals for just the second time in Chris Scott’s time as coach.
They currently sit in 12th place, which would be the equal lowest they have ever finished in their history.
The result will be sweet relief for coach Luke Beveridge after a week of heat on him following their shock loss to the Eagles that placed the Bulldogs’ campaign into peril.
Premiership midfielder Tom Liberatore (32 possessions) made a welcome return from concussion, combining with captain Marcus Bontempelli (31) and fellow gun onballer Adam Treloar (33) to boost the Bulldogs.
But it was the oft-maligned Rory Lobb, who arrived from Fremantle on a big contract during the off-season, who delivered one of the best performances of his career in an unexpected star turn.
Lobb finished with an equal game-high three goals, but his move to spend more time in the ruck and move All-Australian fancy Tim English further forward proved to be a masterstroke.
Aaron Naughton, who received treatment late in the match before returning to the ground, was also influential up forward with three goals.
Geelong were scoreless in the final term until small forward Tyson Stengle snapped a consolation goal with a minute remaining.
Four-time premiership star Isaac Smith bowed out with a tremendous outing for Geelong, slotting the first goal of the night and finishing with 36 disposals as he was given a guard of honour in his 280th and final match.
Smith also provided the funniest moment of the game, comically jumping on Patrick Dangerfield after the Cats captain kicked a clutch goal after the three-quarter-time siren.
Geelong’s young players, headlined by Ollie Henry (three goals), tried hard but the Cats were unable to cover the loss of nine premiership players.
The likes of Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan all sat out the match after their finals hopes ended last week with a loss to St Kilda.
– With AAP
Top eight
1. Collingwood
2. Brisbane
3. Port Adelaide*
4. Melbourne*
5. Carlton*
6. St Kilda
7. Sydney*
8. Western Bulldogs
9. GWS Giants*
* will play on Sunday
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