LAST week the Western Bulldogs won with flair and on Thursday night it did so with grit, hanging on to defeat a gutsy Gold Coast by five points at a wet Metricon Stadium.

HOT DOGS SIZZLE Full match coverage and stats

The match was an arm-wrestle all night, with the Bulldogs leading by two points at quarter, half and three-quarter time, before winning 7.9 (51) to 6.10 (46).

>> WATCH THE THRILLING LAST TWO MINUTES IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

When Lachie Young gave them a 13-point lead early in the last quarter with his first career goal, the Bulldogs looked home, but Ben Ainsworth narrowed the gap and set up a grandstand finish. 

Third-game whiz-kid Izak Rankine had a chance to level the scores late in the match but his around-the-corner set shot from the left forward pocket missed on the near side. 

07:13

Highlights: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

The Suns and Bulldogs clash in round eight

The victory entrenches Luke Beveridge's team inside the top eight with its fifth win in six matches. 

Caleb Daniel (25 disposals) was terrific in the dry and then the rain, using the ball expertly, while Jack Macrae (29) and Bailey Smith (22) were also prominent. 

00:36

Mitch swerves and dishes, so Smith turns and finishes

The Dogs are off to a fast start after Mitch Wallis finds Bailey Smith with a swift handball

For Gold Coast it was a heartbreaking loss, unable to capitalise on a 47-37 advantage for inside 50s and a 36-31 edge in the clearances. 

Jarrod Witts led from the front, outplaying boom young ruckman Tim English, while Touk Miller (28 touches) and Alex Sexton (three goals) were big contributors. 

00:47

Suns, your Sexton's on fire

Gold Coast livewire Alex Sexton snares two fantastic goals in quick succession as his side takes the lead

Not Izak's night
It was so near yet so far for Izak Rankine. With the game on the line in the final quarter he looked the most likely to steal victory for the Suns. Rankine had not one, not two, not three, but four chances around goal to capitalise, but missed all four. None of them were easy shots – in fact he created one or two of them from thin air – but he'll rue the misses. The final kick from the left pocket was very makeable by his standards. Even still, Rankine is a must-see every time he goes near the ball.

Sun Izak Rankine celebrates a goal against the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Wet ball or dry for Daniel?
In a match punctuated by errors in the slippery conditions, Caleb Daniel looked like he was playing with a dry football. With suffocating pressure from both sides, there wasn't much time to make decisions or execute skills, but every time the Bulldogs' half-back got it, something good happened. He gathered 25 disposals, gained 484m and used it at 84 per cent efficiency.

Bulldog Caleb Daniel in action against the Suns. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Gold Coast's interesting ruck tactic
Jarrod Witts against Tim English was an enthralling duel – that Witts won - but when the ball went inside the Suns' forward 50 they mixed things up. Rather than going with regular back-up Sam Day, they cycled through the midfield to attend boundary throw-ins and ball-ups. David Swallow grabbed one clean from the ruck only to send his shot wide, while Hugh Greenwood did likewise to have his shot marked on the goal line. Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith were their opponents and although it didn't pay the ultimate dividend for Gold Coast, it was intriguing. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:15

    Bevo: 'A while since we've won a close game'

    Luke Beveridge was proud his backline withstood multiple late attacks from the Suns to hold out for a memorable, nail-biting win

    AFL
  • 07:13

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

    The Suns and Bulldogs clash in round eight

    AFL
  • 06:11

    Dew: 'It's a missed opportunity'

    Stuart Dew says his players are 'hurt and disappointed' after squandering a number of gettable chances against the Dogs, but is optimistic they will learn from it

    AFL
  • 00:25

    It Touk a supernatural tackle to bring the Bont down

    Touk Miller uses everything in his power to hang on to Marcus Bontempelli and completes a tremendous tackle

    AFL
  • 01:05

    Swallow candy with Day vision, Suns have risen

    Gold Coast complete a wonderful team goal following a silky step from David Swallow and delightful kick from Sam Day

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Lipinski pinches one among Suns' honesty

    Patrick Lipinski notches an eye-catching goal on the brink of half-time, following confirmation from a goal review

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Lethal Libba on the left while falling down

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

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Suns, your Sexton's on fire

    Gold Coast livewire Alex Sexton snares two fantastic goals in quick succession as his side takes the lead

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Mitch swerves and dishes, so Smith turns and finishes

    The Dogs are off to a fast start after Mitch Wallis finds Bailey Smith with a swift handball

    AFL

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, Williams, Bontempelli 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil 

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