The Western Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak was halted by the Gold Coast Suns in greasy conditions at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday night.
Playing in the top end for the first time in 10 years, the Bulldogs clawed back a final quarter 22-point deficit to almost snatch the four points, but they ultimately fell seven points short.
Just as the game looked to be getting away, the Dogs kicked three straight goals in the final stanza to reduce the margin to a solidary point with just under six minutes remaining.
Suns youngster Bailey Humphrey snapped a late goal from the boundary to snuff out the comeback and see his team over the line.
The Dogs will rue missed opportunities, finishing the game with 15 more inside 50s having three more scoring shots than the Suns.
After kicking away to a 20-point lead early in the game, Gold Coast worked its way into the contest, kicking seven of eight goals in a stretch during the first half.
Four of those goals came from the boot of Jack Lukosius in the second quarter, and he finished with five for the night to be the most productive forward on the ground.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked three majors for the Bulldogs and took nine marks in a telling performance in a losing side, while Cody Weightman bobbed up with two late goals in the visitors' late surge.
Liam Jones was outstanding in the defensive 50 as he continues his stellar season. He took a game-high 10 marks from his 14 disposals, and he recorded seven rebound 50s.
The Bulldogs had three of the top four ball-winners on the ground – Jack Macrae (33 disposals), Marcus Bontempelli (27) and Bailey Dale (27), while Matt Rowell was the Suns most damaging midfielder with 29 touches and 16 clearances.
The Dogs will now welcome the opportunity to play five straight games at Marvel Stadium either side of their Round 15 bye, after playing four interstate games in the first 11 rounds.
The first of those matches comes against Geelong this Saturday night.
GOLD COAST 4.1 8.3 11.5 13.6 (84)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.3 4.5 8.6 11.11 (77)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Lukosius 5, King 2, Holman 2, Swallow, Humphrey, Rowell, Ainsworth
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 3, Williams 2, Weightman 2, Smith, Scott, Naugton, Daniel
BEST
Gold Coast: Rowell, Lukosius, Ballard, Anderson, Collins, Humphrey
Western Bulldogs: Jones, Bontempelli, Macrae, Dale, Gardner, Daniel
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Jy Farrar (replaced Rory Atkins in the fourth quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Hannan (replaced Lachie McNeil in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 9316 at TIO Stadium
