Bulldogs edge into AFL final
The Western Bulldogs will face Sydney in the AFL grand final, having pipped Greater Western Sydney by six points in a pulsating clash full of drama.
Jack Macrae converted his set shot with a tick under three minutes remaining on Saturday, giving the Bulldogs a six-point lead.
GWS rushed the ball forward to Devon Smith in response but the small forward was only able to register a behind with his hurried snap.
The siren sounded with the ball in the hands of Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson, who hit the post as the visitors prevailed 13.11 (89) to 12.11 (83).
The Bulldogs were more stoic than slick, when they dug deep to snap a run of seven consecutive losses in preliminary finals.
The Giants were more refreshed after a week off but it was Luke Beveridge’s side who handled the dogfight better, much to the delight of many Bulldogs fans among the crowd of 21,790.
The visitors somehow took control of the see-sawing epic thanks to clutch goals from Dickson, Marcus Bontempelli and Zaine Cordy.
GWS key forward Jon Patton slotted his fourth goal in response as there threatened to be a late twist but Macrae steadied for the Dogs.
The Bulldogs will return to the grand final for the first time since 1961, while they will be shooting for only their first premiership since 1954.
The club’s short-term history also tells a tale. The Bulldogs have done it the hard way after finishing seventh on the ladder.
They backed up knock-out final wins over West Coast and Hawthorn, last year’s two grand finalists, with a performance worthy of immense praise. Clay Smith booted four goals in the first half to give the Bulldogs a ninepoint lead at the major break.
GWS threatened to bust the game open in the third term, with Patton, Heath Shaw and Rory Lobb all stepping up. Shaw was one of many players involved in heated exchanges, while Roughead is in doubt for the grand final.
The ruckman has vision issues after smothering the ball with his face.
Smith, Luke Dahlhaus, Josh Dunkley, Caleb Daniel and Liam Picken were all influential for the Bulldogs, while Shane Mumford dominated the ruck contests with 47 hitouts.