GEELONG has kept pace with the top four by scoring a 13-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in miserable conditions at Simonds Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Cats kicked seven of the first eight goals, opening a 34-point lead midway through the second quarter.
Although heavy rain made the contest a slog from there, the Bulldogs refused to go down without a fight.
If not for a few misses in the last quarter, Brendan McCartney's men might well have snatched a remarkable win.
But as it does so often in close games, Geelong did enough to haul itself over the line, prevailing 10.9 (69) to 7.14 (56).
One thing Chris Scott's boys didn't win was the free-kick count, which finished 25 to 13 in the Bulldogs' favour, much to the dismay of the navy blue and white faithful.
The Cats remain fifth on the ladder, but their 11-4 record is the equal of second-placed Hawthorn.
"I thought the effort was okay in the conditions," Scott said. "I thought we were playing really well until the conditions got worse.
"It was almost a case of the wetter and more difficult it became, the worse we played, which is understandable to an extent.
"I think we're happy enough to get away with a win, but I wouldn't say we're happy with the way we played."
Given the rain that fell for most of the game, Scott and his fellow coaches made a wise call beforehand when they withdrew big man Dawson Simpson and left Hamish McIntosh and Mark Blicavs to carry the rucking load.
James Kelly was also a late out due to soreness with Jed Bews and Brad Hartman coming into the side.
The conditions were far more suited to running players like Steve Johnson, who returned to form by collecting 25 disposals and laying 14 tackles.
Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, who was tagged by Liam Picken, and Jimmy Bartel, who finished with a game-high 15 tackles, were other dominant midfielders for the Cats.
In his 150th game, Harry Taylor revelled in the wet conditions, as did fellow defender Jared Rivers.
Duncan, Tom Hawkins and Shane Kersten led the way on the scoreboard with two goals each.
Emerging half-forward Jordan Murdoch had a mixed night. He produced a contender for the miss of the year in the second quarter, but made amends with a running goal in the third.
First-year player Marcus Bontempelli produced another eye-catching performance for the Bulldogs.
'The Bont' finished with 21 disposals, 10 tackles and two brilliant goals.
Fellow midfielders Tom Liberatore and Ryan Griffen, who returned after a week out with a back problem, also stood out.
However, the conditions made it a tough debut for burly key forward Jack Redpath, who ended the match with only five touches.
"We had a crack," McCartney said. "We were strong, but there were still periods in the second half where we did not get the result that we should have, because individually some people moved away from a plan that was working really well.
"They were better at crucial times. I don't think we should think for one second that they didn't deserve to win."
The Dogs will no doubt be looking forward to a dose of sunshine when they host Gold Coast in Cairns next Saturday.
The Cats also have a six-day break before taking on Melbourne at the MCG.
Simonds Stadium copped a battering with rain falling for the entire match. Picture: AFL Media
GEELONG 3.3 7.5 9.8 10.9 (69)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.4 3.6 6.11 7.14 (56)
GOALS
Geelong: Duncan 2, Kersten 2, Hawkins 2, Bartel, Johnson, Christensen, Murdoch
Western Bulldogs: Crameri 2, Bontempelli 2, Dahlhaus, Griffen, Hunter
BEST
Geelong: Johnson, Duncan, Taylor, Motlop, Bartel, Rivers
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Griffen, Dahlhaus, Minson
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Brad Hartman replaced George Horlin-Smith at three-quarter time
Western Bulldogs: Jackson Macrae replaced Mark Austin at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Hosking, Mitchell
Official crowd: 24,766 at Simonds Stadium
FULL TIMEIt's all over with Geelong using every ounce of their class to hold off a determined Western Bulldogs. Geelong by 13 points.
GOAL BULLDOGSStringer goes to Honeychurch who shows poise to handball over the top to Hunter in the goal square and the Bulldogs are within 13 points.
The crowd are looking for one more goal from the Cats but they seem content to just see this one out.
Time is beginning to run out for the Bulldogs. Geelong leads by 19 points with just under four minutes of play left.
The Bulldogs have been inside 50 on nine occasions this quarter but are yet to kick a goal.
BEHIND BULLDOGSDahlhaus marks 35 metres out with a very important kick to come. He starts it right and that's where it stays. Bad miss at a crucial time.
BEHIND BULLDOGSPicken brings down Motlop in the tackle and that's holding the ball. Picken tries to bring it back from the boundary, but he misses to the near side.
BEHIND BULLDOGSDahlhaus handballs to Hrovat who snaps for goal. It bends and bends but not far enough.
The Western Bulldogs are giving a very good account of themselves against their more highly fancied opponents.
Geelong leads by 22 points with just over eleven minutes remaining.
GOAL CATSHawkins marks it deep in the pocket hard up against the boundary. You can cut the tension with a knife here and Hawkins gives them reasons to celebrate. What a kick!
SUBSTITUTION CATSGeelong have activated their substitute and brought on Hartman. He replaces Horlin-Smith.
BEHIND CATSJohnson takes it out of the stoppage and runs into space. He snaps for goal but misses to the left.
The crowd are somewhat quiet here. Perhaps they sense the makings of an upset.
The final quarter is underway.
THREE QUARTER TIMEThis game is still alive at the final break with Geelong's lead just a slender 15 points.
BEHIND CATSHorlin-Smith is paid the free kick releasing an instant reaction from the crowd. Another reaction is heard when his shot misses.
Motlop is the leading ball gatherer of the evening at the moment. He has 24 disposals.
GOAL BULLDOGSMinson taps down to Wallis who threads the gap with a handball to Bontempelli and he snaps it through for a goal. The Bulldogs just won't go away!
BEHIND BULLDOGSHoneychurch kicks for goal from 40 metres out. It looks good off the boot but Jimmy Bartel is there to punch it through for a rushed behind.
It's hard and tough out there. If you are not of the courageous and determined type you are best not to be on the field because you will get hurt. The Cats need to continue to work hard.
BEHIND BULLDOGSGriffen tries to slide one through off the ground but it's only a minor score.
GOAL CATSKersten takes a chest mark 35 metres out to the left side of the 50. He goes back and dissects the gap between the two goals with precision. Cats by 22 points.
BEHIND CATSKersten is involved in a wrestle for the ball. He sticks his boot at it, but it misses to the left.
GOAL BULLDOGSCrameri handballs out to Bontempelli on the 50. He takes two steps and kicks a beauty! Bulldogs are making the natives nervous here in Geelong.
BEHIND BULLDOGSDahlhaus tries one from distance but he can't will it through.
The crowd are really getting into the umpires but what else is there to do to stay warm?
BEHIND BULLDOGSThe Cats defence rushes the ball through for a rushed behind to launch yet another attack.
Things have settled down a bit here after the Cats threatened to really get away.
GOAL BULLDOGSGriffen has the arm of his opponent but he gets away with it. He takes the pill and sneaks in a shot at goal that's straight through! A touch of luck for the Doggies.
Geelong are really getting to the top of their game here and it could be a matter of how far the Cats if this keeps going.
BEHIND CATSGuthrie kicks to Murdoch in space and he marks again. Murdoch sends it on its way from 50 metres out, but he misses to the right.
GOAL CATSCrameri handballs it out in front of him. Varcoe collects the footy and handballs to Murdoch who runs in and makes no mistake.
BEHIND BULLDOGSDahlhaus' effort doesn't have the legs on it and it's through for a rushed behind.
SUBSTITUTION BULLDOGSAustin has been substituted out of the game and he is replaced by Jackson Macrae.
The third quarter is underway.
HALFTIME - Geelong leads by 23 points at half-time with the Western Bulldogs still being in the contest thanks to two time on goals.
BEHIND CATSMotlop has a chance to steady the ship, but this isn't a checkside kick. The standard way is hard and the hard is easy for Motlop and this is exactly how it pans out.
Another goal from the Bulldogs will be very handy just before halftime. That will be three goals in a row and takes them into the break with momentum.
GOAL BULLDOGSThe Bulldogs are a chance for two in a row as the rain starts pouring down once again. Dahlhaus with the set shot from 40 metres out and it just carries!
GOAL BULLDOGSKoby Stevens handballs over the top to Crameri who runs in and takes care of business. He just had to kick that one.
GOAL CATSJohnson kicks into space inside 50 to allow Christensen to run onto it and kick the goal. Geelong getting away now and they lead by 34 points.
BEHIND CATSKersten gets it over to Murdoch who has an open goal in front of him. He runs in and then stabs his foot on the ground. The ball is sprayed and that's a shank!
BEHIND BULLDOGSMitch Honeychurch has been good tonight. He has already applied 5 tackles but isn't able to add a goal to that with his shot missing badly to the left.
GOAL CATSBartel draws an opponent and then handballs over the top to Duncan. He kicks a grubber from 53 metres out and it just has the legs to carry through.
BEHIND BULLDOGSBontempelli is paid the mark when it looked like it hit the ground first. He sends the kick on its way but it starts right and stays there.
Jimmy Bartel is working hard out there with six tackles already to his name.
Getting a kick out there is definitely a significantly difficult task tonight with the Cats knowing they have played a game of football.
It is bucketing down here in Geelong. It is probably expected given it's Geelong vs Western Bulldogs. You can almost say it's raining cats and dogs!
GOAL CATSHorlin-Smith brings it around beautifully from against the boundary and finds Steve Johnson. Stevie J doesn't waste any time and gets on with it. His kick bounces through.
GOAL CATSGeelong provide the answer to Crameri's goal with Duncan marking in space. His shot for goal is straight through the middle.
GOAL BULLDOGSThe Bulldogs rebound out of defence and kick to the lead of Crameri who takes the mark. Crameri goes back and kicks the Bulldogs' first goal.
The second quarter is underway.
QUARTER TIMEGeelong kicked three unanswered goals in a tight and scrappy first quarter to lead by 17 points.
GOAL CATSHawkins runs onto the ball out the back and the ball sits up nicely for him to soccer it through.
BEHIND BULLDOGSWallis' kick from just inside 50 is bouncing and bouncing and bouncing through. It goes upstairs for a review and the goal has been overruled for being touched on the line.
BEHIND CATSHawkins comes out and takes a good mark out on the 50. His shot for goal misses to the right.
Harry Taylor has started well for Geelong. He has 9 disposals and has taken 6 marks.
BEHIND BULLDOGSA rushed behind to the Bulldogs with the Cats defence under pressure.
Will Minson has had a slow start to the game being unable to register a possession as yet.
The Western Bulldogs are playing their pressure game and executing it quite well but it makes the free flowing play Geelong are known for difficult to accomplish.
GOAL CATSBartel is unable to take the mark but he is able to recover with the ball out behind him. He turns and throws it onto his boot under pressure. Great kick!
BEHIND CATSGeelong turn defence into attack in an instant and Kersten takes possession. He shoots for goal but he misses to the near side.
BEHIND BULLDOGSWallis hurries the shot at goal but he is unable to register the Bulldogs' first goal.
BEHIND CATSMotlop tries one from distance after seeing an empty 50, but his kick misses to the left.
The crowd are somewhat subdued in the early stages of the match. Perhaps it's the cold weather or perhaps the lack of scoring done by the Cats.
Jack Redpath plays his first AFL match for the Bulldogs today. At 23 years of age he has been through it all and will be able to hold his own.
You can hear the train in the background passing by. The horn will drown out any sound the crowd can make tonight.
BEHIND BULLDOGSCrameri marks 35 metres out but his shot at goal misses to the right.
The rain has eased somewhat but the damage has been done with some very slippery conditions to start off with.
GOAL CATSGeelong get off to a flying start with Kersten scrambling through and kicking a goal out of nothing.
We are off and underway at Skilled Stadium.
The rain is coming down which will make for slippery conditions. The subs for today are Hartman for the Cats and Macrae for the Dogs.
Welcome to Skilled Stadium for the match between Geelong and Western Bulldogs. Two late changes for the Cats, with Simpson and Kelly out, replaced by Bews and Hartman. Dogs as selected.