Delight and despair: Bulldog players embrace after their one-point win as the Lions’ dreams are shattered. Photo: AFL MEDIA
GEELONG 15.13 (103) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.8 (68)
The build-up was dominated by Toby Greene’s tribunal hearing over his contentious “ump bump” and resultant three-match suspension, which was subsequently appealed by the AFL for being too lenient. It meant match-winner Greene was ruled out of the sudden-death semi-final in Perth in a bitter blow to the Giants’ chances of causing an upset. GWS also lost Jesse Hogan (calf) pre-match and fought on bravely, but the Cats were too strong as Tom Hawkins led from the front with five goals. The veteran spearhead got the better of Sam Taylor and copped a nasty cork from GWS ruckman Shane Mumford’s knee as tag-team partner Jeremy Cameron kicked two majors in his first encounter with his former side. GWS tagger Matt de Boer limited Patrick Dangerfield’s influence and while Bobby Hill provided a spark in attack, the Giants never looked likely winners. Irishman Zach Tuohy starred for the Cats on return from a hamstring injury. Geelong had failed yet another week-one finals test against Port Adelaide, but improved its week-two finals record under Chris Scott to 5-1. Brandan Parfitt’s hamstring injury was a sour side note for the Cats.
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BRISBANE 11.12 (78) lost to WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.13 (79)
After what unfolded in round 23 – when the Lions edged the Bulldogs out of a top-four spot in dramatic circumstances – this cut-throat encounter at the Gabba was bound to be close. Fittingly, it came down to the final minute, when Laitham Vandermeer’s scrambled kick gave the Bulldogs their go-ahead point and Taylor Duryea kept his cool to deny Charlie Cameron a chance to win the match at the other end. Bailey Smith starred for the Dogs and kicked a career-high three goals, producing an ice-cool finish on the boundary line before Zac Bailey tied the scores late in time-on of the final quarter. Cameron kicked three first-quarter goals to give the Lions an early advantage and Hugh McCluggage was outstanding, but Joe Daniher was quiet as the main aerial threat in attack with Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay out injured. Replacement Jack Payne went off with a nasty cut from a head knock. Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel helped drag the Dogs back into the enthralling contest and Smith was huge late after Brisbane had led by three goals during the third quarter. A knee issue kept influential Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli out of action in the final few minutes and is cause for some concern going forward.
