The Western Bulldogs fell agonisingly short on Saturday night, going down to North Melbourne by two-points at Etihad Stadium in one of the games of the season.

The Dogs controlled the contest in the first half, leading by as much as 24-points in the second term before the Roos rallied after half time.

The Dogs looked to have sealed victory when they wrestled back the lead with two minutes on the clock, as Billy Gowers kicked his third for the match.

But it was North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell who snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat, kicking a goal with only 20-seconds remaining, as the Roos went coast-to-coast. 

The Bulldogs now sit 4-9.

The numbers

Hayden Crozier worked all night, collecting 30 touches and 12 rebound 50s.

First year Dog Billy Gowers finished with 22 disposals, 12 marks and kicked three goals in his best performance for the club.

In a move up forward, Aaron Naughton kicked two goals. Bailey Williams also kicked two goals.

While Marcus Adams held strong in the backline, taking 12 marks.

What they said

“Ultimately as a group we got ourselves to a point where we can win the game and I don’t want our boys to walk away from tonight thinking, ‘that was good, we almost go there’, all that was good and we should have got there.” Senior Coach, Luke Beveridge.

VFL + VFLW

Footscray remain in touch of the VFL top eight, following their 41-point victory over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The ‘Scray held a narrow lead at each break, before they took control of the contest in the third term, running out 14.17 (101) to 9.6 (60) winners.

Nathan Mullenger-McHugh booted four goals for the Scray while Lin Jong gathered 23 disposals, three tackles and three inside-50s.

In the VFLW, the Western Bulldogs held-off a fast-finishing Casey Demons to secure their second win of the season on Saturday afternoon at Casey Fields.

In the three point win, it was the dour defensive efforts of the Bulldogs in the final term, as Casey threatened to steal the lead, that earned them back-to-back wins, 4.7 (31) to 4.4 (28).

Up next

The Bulldogs have a six-day turnaround to host Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Footscray head to Ikon Park on Saturday to take on the Northern Blues at 10.00am while in the VFLW the Western Bulldogs will play Geelong at MARS Stadium on Sunday at 2.00pm.