The Western Bulldogs have finished the 2022 home and away season with 12 wins, after a nervy 23-point victory over Hawthorn in Launceston.

The triumph was enough to catapult the Dogs into the top eight momentarily, while the team’s finals hopes hinged on the result between Carlton and Collingwood on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs were dominant throughout the contest with the Hawks, despite surrendering a three-goal lead during the second stanza, and couldn’t kick clear until late in the final term.

Hawthorn drew to within a goal in the first minute of the final term, but the Dogs finished with the final three majors – including two to Roarke Smith, who booted three for the day.

Aaron Naughton also kicked three to take his tally to 51 for the campaign (a career-high), while Jack Gunston was a handful with four goals in a losing side.

The Bulldogs put on a midfield masterclass, winning the clearances by 27 and the contested possessions by 25, which led to a whopping 71 inside 50s.

Josh Dunkley led the way, winning 29 disposals (17 contested), nine tackles and eight clearances, while Adam Treloar finished with a game-high 10 tackles to go with 25 touches.

The Bulldogs’ running defenders were a constant throughout, led by Ed Richards, Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel.

Sam Darcy showed flashes of brilliance in a switch to the forward line, taking two towering marks in a second quarter burst which each led to goals.

Tim English won the ruck battle against the retiring Ben McEvoy, winning 28 hitouts, 17 disposals and eight marks.

The Bulldogs finished the home-and-away season with two straight wins, and four from their last six games.

MATCH DETAILS
HAWTHORN                      4.1          8.1          9.2          10.4 (64)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.1          8.4          9.12        12.15 (87)

GOALS
Hawthorn:  Gunston 4, McEvoy 2, Moore 2, Morrison, Saunders
Western Bulldogs:  Naughton 3, R.Smith 3, Darcy 2, Bontempelli, Treloar, Weightman, Hunter

BEST
Hawthorn: Sicily, Gunston, Hardwick, Moore
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Darcy, Hunter, Daniel, R Smith, English

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (knee)

SUBSTITUTES 
Hawthorn: Jai Serong (unused)
Western Bulldogs: Robbie McComb (replaced Vandermeer in the fourth quarter)