The Western Bulldogs have kept themselves in the AFL finals picture, jumping into the top eight with a tense 23-point victory over Hawthorn in Launceston.
Coming into Sunday afternoon's final-round clash needing a win to have a chance of replacing Carlton in eighth spot, the Bulldogs trailed by 12 points at quarter-time but came home with a wet sail.
The 12.15 (87) to 10.4 (64) result put the Bulldogs level on 48 competition points with Carlton but ahead on the ladder on percentage.
To stay in the top eight they needed Collingwood to beat Carlton in the late afternoon match at the MCG and have the margin fall in their favour.
Roarke Smith picked up three goals for the Bulldogs, including two crucial scores in the final quarter to give his side breathing space.
Aaron Naughton also kicked three while rookie Sam Darcy was ultra impressive, kicking two majors including his first at the top level.
Dylan Moore gave Hawthorn the best possible start in the final quarter with a goal inside the first minute to reduce the margin to just four points.
But the Bulldogs rallied, keeping their opposition to just nine points for the term.
The Bulldogs dominated clearances (49-22) and inside 50s (71-39) but struggled to translate the possession to points at a blustery University of Tasmania Stadium.
In his final game for the Hawks, dual-premiership winner Ben McEvoy notched two goals, including the opener when he was fed a handpass from the first touch of debutant Jack Saunders.
Jack Gunston kicked four for Hawthorn, while James Sicily was outstanding with a game-high 33 possessions.
The Bulldogs dominated territory early and kicked the opening two goals before Hawthorn went on a run of four goals with the breeze for a 12-point lead at quarter-time.
Gunston chipped in with two majors for the quarter, including an impressive snap after pinching the ball in traffic.
In a pulsating second quarter, Darcy got his side back in front with back-to-back goals in the space of a few minutes.
Hawthorn kept pace, responding when Saunders slotted his maiden major, before Bulldog Cody Weightman got his team's nose in front 52-49 at the main break.
The Bulldogs dominated inside 50s in a low-scoring third quarter, taking a 10-point lead into the last break in front of a crowd of 13,105.
