Coming off back-to-back losses and facing the prospect of slipping 10 points out of the top three, the Bulldogs responded to the challenge presented.

Having conceded 15 and 20 goals in their previous two losses to Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye, this time the Bulldogs only allowed Kyneton seven in their 13.7 (85) to 7.9 (51) victory.

Of the seven goals the Tigers kicked, four came in a six-minute blitz in the second quarter when they quickly erased a 22-point deficit and turned it into a two-point advantage.

However, over the other 110 minutes of the game, the Tigers could muster just three goals in a loss that ended their five-game winning streak, but still keeps them in the top three at the halfway mark of the season.

The Bulldogs’ win came at a cost though, with key forward Travis Baird (two goals) in his return game from a dislocated shoulder re-injuring the same shoulder during the third term, while Kyle Stevens was concussed.

In a contest where the final margin was 34 points, it was Golden Square’s third quarter run of five unanswered goals that ultimately proved the game-breaker.

The Tigers, who led by two points at half-time, were still in front by the same margin after what had been an arm-wrestle for the first 12 minutes of the third term.

But a 35m goal on the run to Golden Square’s Will Harrington – his first at senior level – ignited the Bulldogs.

Goals to Ryan Hartley (courtesy of a 50m penalty), Thomas Walters, Adam Baird and Jake Thrum after the siren gave the Bulldogs a 28-point buffer at half-time.

The Tigers could muster just 0.2 for the third quarter as the game slipped away.

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A dashing Hamish Govan gave the Tigers a lift with the first goal of the final term on the run from 50m.

And the Tigers had plenty of other opportunities during the final term, but their last five scoring shots were all behinds in what was the story of Kyneton’s second half.

Having had 6.1 on the board at half-time, the Tigers added just 1.8 in the second half, while it was the opposite for the Bulldogs.

Having one stage been 5.7 during the third quarter, the Bulldogs’ last eight scores of the game were all goals.

The Bulldogs were superbly led by their midfield generals in captain Jack Geary and Adam Baird, who set the tone from the outset and were able to capitalise on some strong work in the ruck from Matt Compston.

The move of Hartley into the midfield to play on Tigers’ star Rhys Magin allowed the Bulldogs to re-settle their defence with Jon Coe returning to his customary role in the back half, with both featuring among Golden Square’s best. Dylan Johnstone kicked three goals.

The Tigers were best served by their hard-working captain Josh Govan, who continued a strong midfield season, defenders Harrison Huntley, who played forward in the last term, Jayden Exell and Hamish Govan.