The Western Bulldogs have endured a 22-point loss to Geelong on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs were able to wrestle momentum for majority of the match, but couldn’t withstand the Cats’ second-half surge, going down 10.15 (75) to 15.7 (97) at Marvel Stadium.

The contest started as a shootout, with a combined 10 goals kicked in the opening term and four lead changes in the last five minutes alone.

The second quarter was much the same, with goals exchanged between the two sides and the Dogs narrowly holding onto a two-point buffer at the main break.

Geelong snatched the lead early in the third, but the Bulldogs found a response – and regained the lead - through some slick ball movement and quick hands.

But conceding the last three goals of that term, and another three in the final stanza left the Bulldogs licking their wounds and ruing their inaccuracy in front of goal.

To the Dogs’ credit, their efficiency inside 50 was improved – travelling at 58% compared to their 2023 average of 44.8% - and out-marked the Cats (111-90).  

Caleb Daniel finished with 35 disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal, followed by Adam Treloar – who survived an early injury scare – to finish with 31 touches, 11 tackles and four clearances.

Bailey Dale (31 possessions, eight marks and 608 metres gained), Tom Liberatore (30 possessions, seven marks and nine tackles), and Tim English (27 possessions, 12 marks, eight tackles and 30 hit-outs) battled hard.

Ed Richards was subbed off midway through the third with a hamstring concern, while James O’Donnell kicked his first career goal in a match highlight.

The Bulldogs will next turn their attention to Port Adelaide on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    5.4    8.7    10.12    10.15 (75)
GEELONG                       5.2    8.5    12.6      15.7 (97)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, Smith, Richards, O'Donnell, Naughton, Macrae, Lobb, Daniel
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Cameron 2, Rohan 2, Tuohy, Stewart, Stengle, Miers, Knevitt, Close, Bruhn, Blicavs, O.Henry

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, English, Liberatore, Dale, Treloar
Geelong: Stewart, Cameron, Miers, Blicavs, Tuohy, Atkins

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Richards (hamstring),
Geelong: Rohan (nose)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (replaced Ed Richards in the third quarter)
Geelong: Sam Simpson (replaced Jon Ceglar in the fourth quarter) 

Crowd: 41,944 at Marvel Stadium