The Western Bulldogs have survived a scare to go a step closer to confirming their place in the top-six on the ladder with a thrilling three-point win over Collingwood.
In a game that saw the scores leveled 11 times throughout the night at Etihad Stadium, the Dogs held on to the important victory to keep alive their top-four hopes.
On several occasions the Dogs looked to be heading to a costly defeat that would have had repercussions for their chances of playing an elimination final in Melbourne, but Luke Beveridge's men stuck to their guns to secure the 14.11 (95) to 14.8 (92) win.
A Nathan Hrovat mark and goal midway through the final term put the Dogs ahead by six points before the Pies drew level when Brayden Maynard powerfully busted through a tackle to kick a left-foot goal at the 22-minute mark of the final term.
Both sides had their chances from there, but the Dogs' three behinds was the difference in an entertaining and high-scoring affair.
Although the game was an important one for the top-eight Dogs against the Pies, whose season expires in two weeks, at times the larger contest was the sideshow to the main attraction: Adam Treloar up against Marcus Bontempelli.
Two of the game's brightest young talents were brilliant throughout the night, with Bontempelli gathering 26 disposals, two goals and six inside-50s and standing up when his side needed him.
Treloar was equally as influential, finding a game-high 34 touches, kicking a goal and being the most valuable midfielder in the game. The former Greater Western Sydney on-baller's zip in the final moments in dodging three tackles pinned against the boundary line was crucial in giving the Pies one last shot at victory.
Luke Dahlhaus (31 disposals), Lachie Hunter (27) and Matthew Boyd (24) were also important for the Dogs, while Liam Picken was close to best afield with 20 disposals and nine tackles. Picken moved to Pies midfielder Steele Sidebottom in the second half and shut down the key mover.
Treloar was well supported by James Aish (28 disposals) and Scott Pendlebury (24) in the midfield, while Jeremy Howe was terrific in his stopping job on Dogs star Jake Stringer, who had just four kicks.
It was a game that was even from the very start, despite the consequences for one side and the lack thereof for the other.
The Bulldogs took some time to get into their groove but the Pies helped them find it. An error from youngster Tom Phillips in front of Collingwood's goal was quickly swung to the Dogs' end where Jake Stringer converted a clever snap, and it showed the class gap between the sides with the Dogs holding a five-point lead at the first change.
The difference in finishing skills was evident early in the second term, when Nathan Hrovat swooped on a ball inside 50 and snapped a crafty goal, before Clay Smith continued his goal-scoring run of form to boot another to put the Dogs ahead by 18.
They had the chance to go 23 points up midway through the term when last week's NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Josh Dunkley had a shot from directly in front, but his kick pushed to the left and the Pies quickly responded.
Darcy Moore, who replaced Travis Cloke in Collingwood's forward line, was influential. He put aside an ugly incident where he skidded into the Etihad Stadium fence and cut open his forehead, to remain a presence in attack.
The Pies not only were able to contain the Dogs, but had their own weapons to break way. The leg speed of Sidebottom and Treloar cut through the Bulldogs' midfield, with the latter's running goal late in the second term leveling scores.
Despite Collingwood carrying no hopes of a finals position, it was the Pies rather than the Dogs who played with the intensity of a side on the verge of a September berth. But, as has been the story of their season, the Magpies' wayward foot skills stopped them from opening up a bigger lead.
It took the polish of No.5 draft pick Jordan De Goey to give the Pies the lead they deserved, with his long major midway through the third term creating a 14-point buffer. A smart and assured kick from teammate Phillips, courtesy of some brilliant groundwork and quick handball from Moore, saw the Magpies jump to an 18-point advantage.
But good teams respond when challenged and the Dogs have been top-four contenders since the start of the season with good reason. Within seven minutes the Dogs had kicked four goals (including two to Lin Jong) to snatch back a seven-point lead and evaporate the Pies' enthusiasm.
The fluctuating periods of dominance between the clubs continued in the final term, with the Bulldogs booting the first two goals of the last quarter before the Pies hit back with the next two. The game came down to the final moments, as was probably warranted given the quality and evenness of the clash across the night.
MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: Hard-nut Clay Smith left the field in the third term after being on the end of a strong hit to his ribs, but he returned to the field soon after. The Dogs appeared to get through the contest unscathed.
Collingwood: Taylor Adams required some attention to his left calf in the second term but he returned to take the field. However, after being crunched in a tackle late in the game the key midfielder hobbled from the ground with the help of trainers with a lower leg injury.
NEXT UP
Collingwood comes up against the Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium next Saturday night as it hopes to continue its better form to end the season. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, take on the bottom-placed Bombers at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what should be a percentage-booster.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.3 7.6 11.7 14.11 (95)
COLLINGWOOD 2.4 7.5 11.7 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Jong 2, Dickson 2, Bontempelli 2, Hrovat 2, Cordy 2, Dunkley, Stringer, Smith, Hunter,
Collingwood: Moore 3, Sidebottom 2, De Goey 2, Oxley 2, Treloar, White, Phillips, Greenwood, Maynard
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Dahlhaus, Jong, Hunter, Johannisen, M Boyd
Collingwood: Treloar, Sidebottom, Aish, Moore, Goldsack, Grundy
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Collingwood: Adams (corked calf), Moore (cut eye)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Meredith
