Bulldogs endure nervous wait to see if they play finals

Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs will watch the Blues-Giants clash to see if they can hang on to eighth. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The Western Bulldogs face a nervous wait to see if they will play finals for a fifth-straight season after winning in Geelong for the first time in 20 years.

Luke Beveridge's team left GMHBA Stadium on Saturday inside the top-eight after finding form in the second half to defeat the undermanned Cats by 25 points.

But due to shock defeats to West Coast and Hawthorn, the Bulldogs' fate is in GWS' hands - the Giants will pinch back their place in eighth should they topple in-form Carlton on Sunday night.

"We'll watch (the Blues-Giants game at Marvel Stadium), you ride your luck, whether we'll get lucky, it's a 50-50 game, both teams have been very good throughout the course of the year," Beveridge said.

"You reap what you sow. We've sowed a bit. There've been ebbs and flows in our season, but ultimately, I don't lament, I just keep looking forward and remain optimistic. It's always my message to the players that I believe in them.

"The 'if' word – it's just there, isn't it?

"It's been a long time since we've won down here (2003), so it's nice to tick that one off."

Star forward Aaron Naughton looked to be in pain in the final quarter, leaving the field but returning to kick his third goal of the game.

"He's a bit banged up," Beveridge said of Naughton.

"Nothing hopefully that's going to stop him if we get a look at it, but he's sore. 

"A couple of areas, just from knocks."

Anthony Scott, who only recently missed a game through concussion, received a cut head late in the game and will need to pass a head injury assessment.

Laitham Vandermeer has a sore calf and was subbed out.

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