As it happened: Dogs down GWS in thrilling shootout, Power shock Swans, Cats keep improved Eagles at bay

Q: You want a high-scoring game, as a viewer. Do you enjoy that as a player?
A: Absolutely. The smiles of Toby Greene getting a few as well. The shootout is good for the forwards. I don’t know if ‘Bevo’ loves that. Hopefully he encourages it.

Q: Not a great night for the defenders because we spoke about it a few minutes ago about how many one-on-ones. ‘Hang on, the ball is moving really quickly. I could be on today’. That is what you want.
A: Definitely. You can feel it early in the game. The type of game it is going to be. Sometimes you don’t get a look. Tonight you could feel it early.

Q: There would be opportunities. Put yourself in the right spot. You give yourself a chance. You could take 19 marks inside forward 50 and you got 20 against West Coast a few weeks ago but really great ball movement.
A: Definitely. That is a credit to the mids. It makes the job easier. It is to Advantage. It does not give the defenders a chance.

Q: Two players we marvel at all the time, one is Jack Macrae, he can continue to get the football. Nobody has had more than him in the history of the game. The other is Liberatore. I don’t understand how he can get the football so quickly. Talk us through Jack Macrae. How he gets in the right spot all the time.
A: He is amazing.

Q: What do you see at training? How does he do it?
A: I would love to know. I would have a few more disposals myself as he is in the right spot. Often you pick up the ball and you can hear him yelling. And you want the ball in his hands. He is damaging. One of my favourite players. And so careful up when he gets the ball and when he is going inside 50 because he will not use it in the wrong way.

Q: When you are getting your elbow strapped up, Lachie McNeil kicks a goal, you are fist pumping and clapping, there is an energy isn’t there?
A: Definitely. That is the reason you want to play. There is a commitment to each other. Obviously love playing footy. If I was right to get back out there, that was the game.

Q: Finish with Tom Liberatore. Amazing ability to get the ball, in congestion, and then find someone immediately.
A: His vision is amazing. You can see structure in the week when we break up the game and the coaches show is the vision. It is hard to fathom.

Q: How important is this game to springboard for the rest of the year?
A: Definitely. It has been noted we have not been playing the football we wanted to. To come off the bye and hopefully this is the momentum we need.

Q: Do you look at the other games? Some really good results that have gone your way. And then you are back in the mix?
A: Not really. It is a bit early. A bit early. Nine-odd games left. It is in our hands still at the moment. Hopefully we don’t have to worry about results going our way and we keep winning.

Q: And some words on Durye, knee in the brace, your thoughts?
A: He is one of our leaders at the club. Mature head. Not too sure what he has done actually. Fingers crossed it is not too serious.

Q: We talk about Tim English before you came over and he looks like every week, becoming more and more confident.
A: Definitely. This year he has taken his game to another level. He has moved out, we used to be housemates for three years. He is out now. Perhaps that is why he is playing well.

Q: Eating well? Going to bed early? I assume that saves you some money on food.
A: He does eat a lot of food.

Weightman and Naughton combined for 10 goals for the Dogs, while Greene and Hogan also kicked 10 majors between them for GWS.

In the end, the Dogs smashed GWS in contested possessions 153-130, and also won the disposals 384-356, clearances 45-34, inside 50s 61-56 and scoring shots 30-25.

Crucially, the result sees the Bulldogs draw within one game of the top eight