The Western Bulldogs have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season, defeating Gold Coast by 19 points in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.  

In sunny conditions at Mars Stadium, Wadawurrung country, wearing the Indigenous guernseys designed by former player Lindsay Gilbee, the Bulldogs successfully held off a resurgent Suns outfit in 15.16 (106) to 13.9 (87) affair.

Goals were traded throughout the first quarter, while the second term saw the hosts controlling play but unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.

Heading into the main break with a seven-point buffer, the game was broken open in the third with four unanswered Bulldog goals extending their lead to 32 points.

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But the Suns weren’t admitting defeat yet, closing out the term with the last three goals to keep themselves within arm’s reach at the last change.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli converted early in the final quarter, helping his side establish a 21-point buffer, but the Suns responded with a goal of their own.

It was almost déjà vu when Bontempelli converted 10 minutes later, but the Suns again answered with consecutive goals making it a seven-point ball game.

With just over two minutes left, Bailey Williams snapped truly to provide a bit of breathing space, but the hosts yet again found a way forward.

Robbie McComb’s toe-poke with 35 seconds on the clock looked like it’d be the last score of the day, before Bailey Smith went bang right on the final siren.

Smith finished with another 30+ disposal haul, while Treloar was impactful in game 200 with 26 touches, two clearances and one goal.  

The skipper was prolific, playing a mix of both midfield and forward minutes to register 24 touches, eight marks, five tackles and three goals.

Spearhead Aaron Naughton also contributed three goals from five marks in a dominant display.

Ed Richards, Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel worked well across half-back, as did tall trio Alex Keath, Ryan Gardner and Tim O’Brien in defence.

The win gives the Bulldogs a 5-5 ledger, with a clash against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday 28 May their next challenge.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    4.5       6.12     10.15   15.16 (106)

GOLD COAST                  3.3       6.5       9.7       13.9 (87)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Naughton 3, Williams 2, McComb 2, McNeil 2, Treloar, Dunkley, B.Smith.
Gold Coast: Jeffrey 5, Ainsworth 3, Chol, Rankine, Ellis, Farrar, Rosas.

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, B. Smith, Dunkley, Naughton, Richards, Treloar
Gold Coast: Jeffrey, Swallow, Ainsworth, Ballard, Lemmens, Witts, Rankine

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Gold Coast: Thompson (knee), Farrar (head)

SUBSTITUTES  
Western Bulldogs: Roarke Smith (unused)
Gold Coast: Oleg Markov (replaced Thompson in second quarter)