The Western Bulldogs have an ideal start to break one of the AFL’s worst hoodoos when they host Geelong at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (7-4, 106.9%) are one of the most in-form teams in the competition, winning seven of their past nine games after significantly improving their defensive output.
But they have a bad recent record against the Cats, who’ve won 20 of their past 23 meetings against the Bulldogs.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo?Start your free trial now >
The Cats (5-6. 118.1%), however, aren’t in great form, losing their past three straight games.
“If the Dogs aren’t going to win this one, they will never beat Geelong ever again,” triple premiership forward Cameron Mooney told Fox Footy Live. “This is the perfect time for the Bulldogs. They are in better form than Geelong.”
This match gets underway at 7.25pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 7.15pm AEST.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
There were no late changes as Lachie McNeil (Bulldogs) and Sam Simpson (Geelong) were named as the starting tactical substitutes for their respective sides.
The Dogs got the fast start through goals to Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards before star Adam Treloar — in his first game back from a hamstring injury — was seen throwing his mouthguard as he went down to the rooms for assessment.
“That is not a good sign … a big concern,” Channel 7’s Cameron Ling said.
But Treloar minutes later emerged and was seen having his lower legs being worked on at ground level. He then came back onto the ground in an unexpected recovery with strapping on his calf.
The goals then flowed, with the Bulldogs booting two straight goals — including one to Treloar — after Geelong had kicked two on the trot, before Tom Hawkins responded with two majors to give Geelong the lead.
“It’s a goal fest,” Channel 7’s Alistair Nicholson said.
But when Rory Lobb marked and goaled, the Dogs took the lead back by two points at the first change.
The scores continued to flow in the second term as the two teams went goal for goal.
“This is a high standard game of footy … it’s a joy to watch,” Channel 7’s Jobe Watson said.
“It’s quick and it’s clean.”
The Cats got within three points after Tyson Stengle converted from a set-shot. He was awarded a dubious free kick in the pocket, much to the disgust of Bulldogs fans.
THE 3-2-1 …
1. ‘HAPPY TO SEE THAT’: HAPPY ENDING TO DOGS STAR’S ROLLERCOASTER QUARTER
At one stage, Adam Treloar’s night seemingly appeared over before it began. Then seemingly against the odds, the Bulldogs midfielder was resurrected – and joined in an exhilarating opening-term shoot-out.
In his first game back after a hamstring issue – which had sidelined him since Round 8 – on-lookers had their hearts in their mouths when an angry Treloar was seen walking off Marvel Stadium and throwing his mouthguard away. Moments earlier, he’d pulled up sore from seemingly innocuous movement at a centre bounce stoppage.
Naturally, Treloar’s frustration prompted suggestions he’d suffered another injury setback – a brutal blow considering his issues over the past three and a half seasons.
But after several minutes down in the rooms, Treloar re-emerged on the bench. And after having his legs worked on by Dogs trainers and having his calf strapped up, the Dogs star returned to the ground.
And he had an immediate impact, helping the Dogs from a centre clearance then pushing forward to nail a stunning goal on the run.
“I think all Bulldogs fans were happy to see that, because they would’ve feared the worst for a guy that has battled with hamstring injuries and goes off the ground in anger … because you thought he’d done it again,” Bulldogs games record-holder Brad Johnson told Fox Footy.
Despite being on the bench for most of the quarter, Treloar finished the term with six disposals, three contested possessions and three clearances.
Follow Geelong v Western Bulldogs in our live blog below!
If you can’t see the blog, tap here.