Wagin took another step towards playing finals in the Upper Great Southern Football League this season with a tense two-point win over Williams in Darkan on Saturday.
The Bulldogs are fourth on the ladder heading into the general bye for the annual country championships, two games clear of the fifth placed Katanning Wanderers.
They had to survive a big challenge from the Cats in the final term of their round nine clash played in front of a strong crowd in Darkan.
The Cats trailed by 15 points at three-quarter-time but they rallied again as midfielders Ollie Horak, Kyle Shanahan and Simon Panizza gave the home side plenty of late nerves.
The Bulldogs managed one goal in the last quarter but three at the other end had the game up for grabs in the dying moments.
The Cats took the ball inside their attacking 50 in the final minute but could not find a mark or shot on goal as the Bulldogs hung on desperately to win, 8.5 (53) to 7.9 (51).
Will Burnett, Max Mumme and Thomas Rooke all kicked two goals for the home side, which has six wins to its name and is level on points with reigning premiers Wickepin.
Defender Lachlan Godden was impassable on the last line while George Gibson and Jayden Crawford were also important across half-back.
The Bulldogs set up the result on the back of a strong opening half as ball-winners Mumme and Jack Walsh ran rampant.
Tjad Gianoncelli was also busy throughout as the Bulldogs kicked three goals in the first term and had five on the board at half time to open up a nine-point lead.
Young key forward Michael Forman was terrific with four goals for the Cats while Horak, Simon Panizza and Shanahan won a lot of the ball.
Captain Nick Panizza started forward but was very influential when moved back into defence and Myles Carne also played well but the Cats sit second last after falling to a seventh loss of the year.
AFL premiership player and Hawthorn life member Chance Bateman made a special appearance for Boddington on Saturday.
Bateman was in town for a special one-off appearance with the Eagles, playing in their league side before taking part in a question-and-answer session and memorabilia auction post-game.
Their home clash with Katanning Wanderers was tight in the opening half, but the Tigers skipped clear after the long break.
Hayden Eades and Caleb Keley kicked three goals each for the visitors while Tyrone Roe, Brayden D’Aprile, Jake Blight and James Laurino were terrific contributors as they won by 34 points.
The Eagles were best served by Mitchell Salmeri, Jak Kohler, Les Hughes (three goals), Troy Egerton-Warburton (three), Kaleb Michalak and Korben Halter but went down 8.9 (57) to 13.13 (91) in the end.
Kukerin-Dumbleyung beat Wickepin for the second time this season, with just three points the difference at Stubbs Park.
The Warriors led at half-time and three-quarter-time but the home side booted four goals in the final term to run over the top and win, 10.10 (70) to 10.7 (67).
Howie Clegg and player-coach Jye Depane were vital with three goals for the Cougars while teammates Charlie Keast, Konnah Holmes, Jonty Robinson, Liam Park, Toby Perrin and Cambell Johnston were among their best players.
The Warriors, who were without player-coach Dion Anthony, had strong performances from Blake White, Sam Fortini, Mitchell Henley, Callum Hardie, Domenic Misiti and Regan Wilson while Kayle Kirby booted three majors.
In the other league game, Narrogin were commanding 51-point winners over Brookton-Pingelly at Clayton Road Oval.
The Hawks were prolific in the first half with nine majors and led by 52 points at the last change to put the game to bed.
Byron Blevin led the way with four goals while Gregor Taylor, Jacob Henriksen, Declin Mumby (three goals), Anton Hanson and Kadence Flanagan were also influential.
The Panthers’ best players were Harry Blanch, Lewis Parsons, Noah Bowen-Zoccoli, Lachlan Young, Brandon Norrie and Shannon Fernando.
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