Collingwood survived a fierce challenge from the Western Bulldogs to win an absorbing AFL match by 21 factors at Etihad Stadium.

The Magpies took total toll of many Bulldogs turnovers in the final term to win 15.eight (98) to eleven.eleven (77) on Friday evening.

Midfielders Dayne Beams starred for the ‘Pies with 33 disposals, whilst defender Alan Toovey was superb with his operate on in-form Bulldogs small forward Luke Dahlhaus.

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury was also prolific and was awarded best afield.

Bulldogs onballer Ryan Griffen led his group with 33 possessions and eight clearances.

Collingwood supporters had been furious with the umpires right after a free of charge-kick count that went the Bulldogs’ way 21-10, such as 9- at the start off of the match.

The ‘Dogs had been trailing by eight factors midway through the final phrase when two mistakes from Shaun Higgins – a single with a kick to objective and the second at the other end shortly immediately after – meant Harry O’Brien kicked a crucial goal for the Magpies.

Sharrod Wellingham kicked the sealer soon following a turnover from Bulldogs defender Dylan Addison.

But the Bulldogs have been excellent with their intensity and they set up properly against Collingwood.

Their largest dilemma – again – was the lack of a huge-marked important forward.

When Collingwood kicked the opening objective of the third phrase, they had an ominous 9-point lead.

But Daniel Giansiracusa then kicked two straight to give his side the lead once more.

The game continued to see-saw via the third quarter, with 4 lead adjustments.

Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave marked and goalled to minimize the margin to 1 point at 3 quarter-time.

In a significant blow to the ‘Dogs, defender Easton Wood hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the third term immediately after he had been 1 of their best.

Earlier, Collingwood had withstood a robust challenge from the Western Bulldogs to kick the last three objectives of the 2nd term and lead by 3 factors at the primary break.

Star Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan, who had an absorbing battle all evening with Bulldogs tagger Liam Picken, ran via a stoppage brilliantly to kick a aim late in the 2nd quarter.

Collingwood utility Ben Johnson left the field with a shoulder injury in the 2nd phrase and did not reappear.

The game appeared to be going the Bulldogs’ way when Giansiracusa soccered by means of a aim at 17 minutes in the 2nd phrase immediately after a series of 50-50 balls that went their way.

But it proved their final score of the half as Collingwood kicked three objectives and regained the lead.

Collingwood’s Darren Jolly was a late withdrawal with a groin injury and Cameron Wood, who took his spot, rucked for nearly the complete game.

Buckley mentioned there was even now plenty of room for improvement in his group, but he was pleased with how they responded to the Bulldogs’ challenge.

“The Bulldogs had been genuine to their form in the last couple of weeks, they adore to outnumber at the contest, they work really tough for each other,” Buckley said.

“It took a even though for us to modify and finally it was a good efficiency to do and grind the win out.”

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney was encouraged by his team’s endeavour and mentioned he had no problem with the last-quarter turnovers, given the players were trying so challenging to set up scoring odds.

But eventually, he said the ‘Dogs had not kept the Magpies on the back foot for lengthy enough.

“It wasn’t a irritating night, it was disappointing for our club to drop a game we’d accomplished a lot correct in,” he mentioned.

“It was a combination of issues, we produced some errors but each and every team tends to make them.

“We felt we just did not smash in aggressively enough for long ample and the contested ball count got out of manage in the final quarter.

“We have got to turn out to be a club and will become a club that is physical and fights to the death.”