The Cats remain undefeated after holding off a fast-finishing Western Bulldogs in a rollercoaster clash, winning by four points, 14.11 (95) to 14.7 (91).
In a game where both sides traded periods of momentum, but Geelong led for the majority of the night, the Dogs came storming home with the last three goals to get within a kick.
But Chris Scott’s side held its nerve inside the last minute to improve to 4-0, led by four goals from Tyson Stengle and a huge night from Jeremy Cameron (27 touches, 2.4).
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The Cats withstood huge performances from Marcus Bontempelli (35 touches, one goal) and Tom Liberatore (35 disposals, nine tackles, 19 clearances) as the Dogs fell to 2-2.
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It was a hot start to the game, with the Dogs racing out to an early lead through goals to Harvey Gallagher and Cody Weightman.
The Cats wrestled back momentum though with a long-range Zach Guthrie goal and Tyson Stengle finish giving them the lead.
Geelong led 3.3 (21) to 2.1 (13) at the first break.
The Bulldogs responded in the second via goals to their budding stars – Sam Darcy then Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – to take the lead at Adelaide Oval.
But Geelong swiftly responded with a huge long long bomb from Max Holmes from outside 50 to regain the lead.
In a humorous moment in the second term, Ryley Sanders sprinted the wrong way with ball in hand – even taking two bounces – before realising his error and bombing it long.
At least the star draftee could laugh it off afterwards.
The Cats suddenly got a buffer on the scoreboard with three of the next four goals through Jeremy Cameron, Oliver Dempsey and Jack Bowes to go up by 15 points.
It marked Bowes’ career-high second goal of the night after kicking the opener.
Geelong led 7.6 (48) to 6.3 (39) at half-time.
Tom Liberatore kicked the opener of the third term to get the Dogs within a kick.
But seemingly just like they have all night, the Cats responded, kicking the next two goals to push back out to a 16-point lead.
A dubious call soon after awarded Stengele a mark on the goal line – despite it appearing to go over the line for a point – so much so that Ed Richards had already initiated a kick in before being called back by the umpire.
Stengle extended the Cats’ lead out to 22 points, with Dogs fan booing loudly at the call.
“I don’t know about that,” Channel 7’’s Matthew Richardson said. “I’ve got doubts he did (mark the ball before it crossed the line).”
The Dogs bounced back with the next two majors though – including Darcy’s third – to bring it back to a 10-point game.
Geelong took a 16-point lead into three-quarter time, 13.9 (87) to 11.5 (71).
Ollie Henry kicked the first goal of the last term as the Cats looked like running away with it.
Ugle-Hagan came back with his second major though to give the Dogs a pulse.
Luke Beveridge’s side starting to generate momentum in the final term, but Geelong was able to control play when it had the ball.
Adam Treloar got the Dogs back within a kick with a crafty snap goal on the run, with Channel 7’s Jason Bennett declaring “they’re still alive!”
The Dogs added one more through Bailey Williams to get within a kick in a thrilling finish, but Geelong held its nerve insight the last minute for a huge win.
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