Bulldogs snatch third spot from Magpies

The Western Bulldogs have snatched third spot on the AFL ladder from Collingwood
with a 24-point win at Etihad Stadium.
Brad Johnson's goal from a set shot with about two minutes left meant the Bulldogs
improved from fourth to third at the Magpies' expense, winning 14.16 (100) to 10.16
(76).
The two teams ended the season on 15 wins and, unofficially, the Bulldogs'
percentage was 122.7 to Collingwood's 122.1.
The Bulldogs had to win by 22 points to take third spot in the Sunday twilight game,
the last match of the regular season.
They will play second-placed Geelong in one qualifying final, most likely on
Saturday afternoon, while Collingwood will meet minor premiers St Kilda in the other
qualifying final on Sunday afternoon.
Bulldogs players were ecstatic after the final siren and they will go into next
weekend confident, having beaten Geelong last weekend.
Adelaide will host Essendon and Brisbane are at home to Carlton in the two
elimination finals.
Collingwood scored a behind to reduce the margin to two-straight goals at 21 minutes
in the final quarter.
The Bulldogs tore down the field from the kick-off and Shaun Higgins kicked a great
running goal to ensure his team would win.
Then it became a question of whether the Bulldogs could kick another goal and
Johnson's set shot from a tight angle never looked like missing.
Bulldogs full-back Brian Lake was best afield and defender Heath Shaw was best for
the Magpies, while Johnson kicked four goals.
The Magpies started the second half with a flourish, kicking four goals to open up
an 11-point lead and putting the Bulldogs under enormous pressure.
But the 'Dogs rallied through the middle of the third term and never let Collingwood
take control.
Robert Murphy marked strongly to goal and stop the Collingwood surge, while a superb
running goal to Nathan Eagleton at 21 minutes was a critical moment.
Young Bulldogs Callan Ward and Josh Hill also goalled, giving their side a 12-point
lead at the last change.
The Magpies were looking tired and lost John McCarthy with concussion early in the
final quarter after a collision.
Jason Akermanis and Brad Johnson goalled just before halftime to give the Bulldogs a
13-point lead after a tight first half.
Collingwood suffered two significant late withdrawals, with in-form midfielder Scott
Pendlebury (back) and tall utility Leigh Brown (virus) having to drop out of the
side.
Tyson Goldsack and McCarthy came into the side, while Bulldogs ruckman Ben Hudson
pulled out with hamstirng tightness and Andrejs Everitt took his spot.