Bulldogs win wild AFL wildcard final by three points

Roger Vaughan |

Arty Jones (2nd left) kicked four goals for the Western Bulldogs as they edged out Collingwood.
Arty Jones (2nd left) kicked four goals for the Western Bulldogs as they edged out Collingwood.

The Western Bulldogs have won the first AFL wildcard final by three points, beating Collingwood by three points in an outstanding clash.

Magpies forward Tim Membrey marked strongly and had a shot at goal on the final siren, but it faded to the right and the Bulldogs held on to win 14.12 (96) to 14.9 (93) before 81,036 fans.

There were four lead changes in the frenetic last few minutes, with Arty Jones snapping his fourth goal to put the ‘Dogs back in front.

Teammate Aaron Naughton and Collingwood’s Dan McStay also kicked four goals.

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Aaron Naughton enjoyed his bag of four goals. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

It was the last game for Magpies great Steele Sidebottom, who had announced he would retire at the end of the season.

Bulldogs midfielder Matt Kennedy, one of their best players, was forced off in the last quarter with a head knock and will most likely miss next week’s elimination final.

The two marquee players in this game, Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and Collingwood’s Brownlow Medal favourite Nick Daicos, duly delivered with prominent games through the midfield.

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Daniel McStay led Collingwood’s scoring with his four goals. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The see-sawing match opened with five lead changes in the first quarter before the Bulldogs threatened to take control, only for Collingwood to repeatedly rally through the middle of the game.

After the Bulldogs led by 21 points in the third term, Collingwood threatened to overwhelm them late as the ‘Dogs butchered their scoring opportunities.

But the Bulldogs rallied and they will find out who they play in next week’s elimination finals after Saturday night’s other wildcard final, between Melbourne and Carlton, also at the MCG.

AAP