Bulldogs stun Cats to stay in hunt
BULLDOGS GEELONG THE AFL premiership race has taken another twist, with the resurgent Western Bulldogs stunning ladder-leaders Geelong by 16 points at Marvel Stadium.
Young gun Aaron Naughton booted two clutch majors in last night’s final quarter, as the Bulldogs stormed from behind to prevail 10.11 (71) to 7.13 (55) and keep their finals hopes alive.
Naughton finished with four goals, while star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was sublime with 27 disposals, six inside-50s and a goal.
The Cats remain a game clear at the top of the ladder but have lost two of their past three games, having also fallen to Port Adelaide in round 14.
They became the latest premiership contender to fall after Collingwood’s secondstraight loss and Essendon’s upset of GWS in round 15.
The result lifts the Bulldogs to 11th on the ladder and they sit just four points shy of the top eight, having built on last week’s impressive away win over Port Adelaide.
Geelong led for much of the game but looked a long way off their best and began to lose the midfield battle in the third quarter.
Cats coach Chris Scott sent superstar forward Gary Ablett into the middle at the start of the fourth term, but the Dogs won the centre clearance and drew first blood through Naughton. Bontempelli was pivotal in helping his side snatch the lead, first converting from a mark one-out in the goal square before setting up Naughton’s fourth goal.