The Western Bulldogs have hung on to defeat the Gold Coast Suns by five points in a heart-stopper at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.

The Dogs led by as much as 14 points in the last quarter but the Suns surged late, with the margin inside a goal for a desperate final few minutes.

Two saving chest marks from skipper Marcus Bontempelli and Easton Wood in the last minute ensure the Dogs secured their second straight win, and fifth in their last six.

Bulldogs v Suns| Full match coverage and stats

03:07

Replay The Last Two Minutes | Bulldogs v Suns

Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Suns and the Bulldogs.

The game was played in greasy conditions and was low-scoring, but was an enthralling contest between two young and emerging teams.

The Bulldogs’ defence was outstanding, led by Caleb Daniel, Alex Keath and Hayden Crozier, which withstood some dangerous attacks by the Suns while providing plenty of drive and rebound.

Crozier’s first half was immense.  He had 13 disposals and 10 intercept possessions (including four intercept marks) in the first two quarters.

Jack Macrae finished as the leading disposal winner on the ground with 29 (including seven clearances), while Daniel was at his brilliant best across half back with 25 touches.

07:13

Match Highlights | Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

Replay all the key moments from the Western Bulldogs' thrilling five-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Each of the Dogs’ goals came from individual sources, while Alex Sexton booted three majors for the Suns.

The Bulldogs led by two points at quarter time and survived a second quarter onslaught from the Suns to lead by the same margin at the long break.

Sexton’s third goal at the start of the third term gave the home side the lead, but the Dogs struck back with majors to Jason Johannisen and Mitch Wallis and the lead was extended to 10 points.

00:46

Libba delivers under the pressure

Tom Liberatore produces a first-class goal on the run while under pressure

A goal from Brandon Ellis nearing three-quarter-time reduced the margin once more, but the Bulldogs made a move at the start of the final stanza with back-to-back majors from Ed Richards and Lachie Young – his first in AFL football.

Gold Coast pushed hard late, but the Dogs held on for a morale-boosting victory.

 

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    Match Highlights | Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

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GOLD COAST                   2.1     3.4     5.6     6.10     (46)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.3     3.6     5.8     7.9     (51)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Ainsworth, Ellis, Rankine
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Liberatore, Johannisen, Lipinski, Wallis, Richards, Young

BEST
Gold Coast: Miller, Witts, Collins, Greenwood, Sexton, Swallow
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Smith, Crozier, Macrae, Keath, Williams, Bontempelli

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil