The Cats have returned to the top eight after they defeated the Dogs by 22 points at Marvel Stadium.
After three straight losses Chris Scott’s side got back to their best in one of the most fast-paced and frantic games of the year.
The Dogs started the match in roaring form, kicking the first two goals thanks to an Aaron Naughton set shot and a brilliant bursting goal on the run from outside 50 by Ed Richards.
However, the first half of the quarter started in an unclean manner with the first four goals all coming from turnovers.
Adam Treloar, in his first game back since Round 8, went down the race seemingly hampered by another injury just 10 minutes in the match, but the star midfielder soon returned to the field with his calf strapped.
At the 20-minute mark of the quarter both sides appeared to flick a switch with an incredible six goals being kicked in quick succession, three goals apiece.
In good news for Dogs fans, Treloar’s calf seemed to be working just fine as he kicked a great goal on the run, while Cat’s key forward Tom Hawkins kicked two goals in the space of two minutes as the Dogs took a two-point lead at quarter-time.
“How’re you feeling, Adam?”
This good ⬇️#AFLDogsCats pic.twitter.com/BgbjtlymnS
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 3, 2023
The scoring continued on in the second quarter with both sides trading early blows.
Star Cat Jeremy Cameron, who has been quiet by his standards in the last few weeks with three goals in his last three matches, but the veteran key forward was prominent early in the match with two goals and five score involvements from his first eight touches.
Dogs’ fans were in uproar after the Cats were awarded two free kicks inside forward 50 that led to two goals and brought the Cats back within three points.
The match was played at a high pace and with frenetic energy as both sides looked to get back on the winners list following disappointing losses last weekend; With the Dogs losing to the Suns up in Darwin while Geelong lost to GWS at home.
The Dogs started to take control of the match as the game neared half-time, but young Cat Mitch Knevitt stepped up for his side as he kicked truly from 45-metres out after the siren to cut the margin back to two points at the main break.
Mitch Knevitt kicks the sixteenth major of a high-octane half!#AFLDogsCats pic.twitter.com/Ob5Fx7ejwc
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 3, 2023
Midfielder Tom Liberatore continued his pursuit for a maiden All-Australian blazer continuing his stellar form as he collected 30 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances for the match.
The assist king of the AFL Gryan Miers – most in the competition, three for the match – got the Cats off to the perfect start as he kicked the first goal of the second half within the first 40 seconds.
In a shining moment for the match James O’Donnell, son of former Australian cricketer Simon O’Donnell, kicked the first goal of his career after making the switch from cricket to football earlier this year.
Lachlan McNeil, who was substituted onto the ground for an injured Ed Richards, missed an important opportunity to arrest the momentum that Geelong had built with three consecutive goals.
And with the Dogs trailing by five points at three-quarter two-time All-Australian Kane Cornes told SEN’s AFL Nation that the Dogs were in for a season defining final quarter.
“If the Bulldogs don’t get this done now, with Geelong’s outs, then they are probably not a genuine premiership threat, are they? Cornes said on SEN’s AFL Nation.
The Cat’s pressure and intensity was hot all night as they kicked 10 goals from turnovers to the Dogs four.
Heading into the match the Dogs were ranked 13th in the competition for goal accuracy and this fault in their game was on display tonight as they kicked 15 behinds to the Cats seven.
Bulldogs’ ruckman Tim English was dominant for the entirety of the match as he collected 27 possessions, 12 marks, eight tackles and 30 hit outs.
In his return from injury Gary Rohan kicked the sealer as he performed well providing speed, pressure and two goals for the Cats.
In the end the Cats were able to outrun the Dogs as their re-established their premiership credentials with a 22-point win.
On his AFL return, Gary Rohan puts through the sealer 👏#AFLDogsCats pic.twitter.com/Ik3tLSBwH9
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 3, 2023
Up in Darwin the Suns have closed the gap to the top eight with an impressive come-from-behind victory over the Crows on Saturday night.
The Crows got off to a quick start as they kicked six goals to two in the first quarter, unfortunately for Mathew Nicks’ side defender Tom Doedee was subbed off for Ned McHenry in the first quarter with leg injury.
In the second quarter the Suns clawed their way back to a 17-point margin at half-time as they looked to prove themselves as genuine finals contenders.
The Suns then proceeded to go on a nine unanswered goal run as they took a four-point lead into three-quarter time before eventually running over the Crows by 25 points
There must something about Darwin that Jack Lukosius must find energising as he backed up last weekend’s five-goal performance with another five-goal game as he was arguably best-on for the Suns in their most impressive performance of the year.
For the Crows, midfielder Ben Keays did all he could for his side kicking two goals to go with his 25 disposals while captain Jordan Dawson also performed well with 30 disposals and one goal.
FULL SCORE
Western Bulldogs: 5.4, 8.7, 10.13, 10.15 (75)
Geelong: 5.2, 8.5, 12.6, 15.7 (97)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman, Smith, Lobb, Naughton, Richards, Treloar, Macrae, Daniel, O’Donnell, Ugle-Hagan,
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Cameron 2, Rohan 2, Tuohy, Close, Stengle, Knevitt, Miers, Bruhn, Blicavs, Stewart, Henry
BEST
Western Bulldogs: English, Liberatore, Daniel, Bontempelli, Dale
Geelong: Cameron, Stewart, Blicavs, Miers, De Koning
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Ed Richards (hamstring)
Geelong: N/A