1. Qualifying final, 2009, MCG:
Geelong 14.12 (96) def Western Bulldogs 12.10 (82)
The Cats started all guns blazing, racing to a 28-point quarter-time lead. Rodney Eade's Bulldogs narrowed the margin slightly in the second term, before Mark Thompson's Geelong side took control once more by kicking six goals to four in the third quarter. But despite being 35 points down at the final change, the Dogs refused to go away. They fought back strongly in the last quarter, but the Cats held on and won by 14 points. Jimmy Bartel booted three goals, while Corey Enright finished with 35 disposals in a best on ground performance.

2. Round 9, 2009, Etihad Stadium:
Geelong 17.14 (116) def Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114)
Almost 45,000 people flocked to the Docklands to see two of the competition's best sides go head-to-head in what was Jason Akermanis' 300th AFL game. With Gary Ablett Jnr, Joel Selwood and Joel Corey on fire in the middle of the ground, the Cats held sway during the first three quarters. But the Bulldogs stormed home, kicking six goals to three in the last term to fall just two points short. Ablett finished with 38 touches, while Steve Johnson was the hero up forward, booting five goals. Akermanis kicked four goals for the Dogs along with racking up 25 disposals.

Corey Enright gets a handball away during the Cats' narrow win over the Dogs in round 9, 2009 (AFL Photos)

Gary Ablett Jnr streaks away from an opponent in round 9, 2009 (AFL Photos)

3. Round 16, 2006, Etihad Stadium:
Geelong 13.12 (90) def Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89)
The Cats and Dogs played out two thrillers in 2006. The Dogs won the first one by a point, then Geelong turned the tables to win the second one by the narrowest of margins. This particular game, which drew a crowd of almost 40,000, was a thrilling contest from start to finish. The Bulldogs led by five points at half-time, then scores were tied at the final change. The Cats prevailed after kicking 2.4 to 2.3 in the last quarter. Matthew Scarlett finished with 34 disposals, while Paul Chapman kicked three goals. Brad Johnson kicked five majors for the Dogs.

Joel Corey, Gary Ablett Jnr and David Wojcinski celebrate the one-point win in round 16, 2006 (AFL Photos)

4. Qualifying final, 1994, MCG:
Geelong 15.16 (106) def Footscray 15.11 (101)
The Malcolm Blight-coached Cats started brilliantly, kicking eight goals to three in the first quarter. But the Alan Joyce-led Dogs pegged them back by kicking nine goals to four in the middle two quarters. The margin was just two points at the final change, and the contest went down to the wire. The Cats were five points down when Billy Brownless earned the chance to make himself a hero by marking a pass from David Mensch with just seconds left on the clock. The siren sounded as Brownless was going back to take his kick. The big forward then put his kick straight through the middle, which led commentator Sandy Roberts to exclaim, "Billy, you are king of Geelong."

Billy Brownless, Andrew Wills and Gary Ablett Snr in the rooms after the win over the Dogs in 1994 (AFL Photos)

5. Round 10, 1990, Kardinia Park:
Geelong 14.12 (96) def Footscray 13.16 (94)
Malcolm Blight's Cats and Terry Wheeler's Bulldogs were struggling to keep their finals hopes alive when they met at Kardinia Park in the middle of the 1990 season. Geelong started strongly, kicking seven goals to two in the opening quarter, but the Dogs hit back with six goals to one in the second term. The rest of the match was a tough and tight affair. Both sides looked winners at various stages, but the Cats eventually scraped home by two points. Gary Ablett Snr kicked five goals for the winners, while Neville Bruns tallied 22 disposals. Chris Grant kicked four majors for the Dogs, while Tony Liberatore and Terry Wallace both amassed 30 disposals.

Cats great Cameron Mooney will look back at this match in our next episode of Thirsty Camel Throwback Thursday

Get behind the Mighty Cats when we take on the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Buy your tickets here.