Geelong lifted in the third term and then held off the Western Bulldogs late to win their home AFL practice match by nine points.
The Cats led by 27 points, 10 minutes into the final term, before the Bulldogs challenged, but Geelong did enough to win 11.18 (84) to 11.9 (75).
Cats defender Josh Hunt limped off in the third term, while Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen hurt his hand in the second quarter.
Andrew Mackie and Paul Chapman were best for Geelong and Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd had 36 possessions.
The Bulldogs kicked four of the last five goals in the match to keep the margin tight in the last practice match for the two teams before round one.
The intensity of the game went up noticeably early in the third term as tempers frayed.
Chapman first tangled with a couple of Bulldogs defenders and, seconds later, Cats key defender Matthew Scarlett and Bulldogs onballer Adam Cooney clashed on the wing.
After a wrestle involving several players on the Bulldogs half-forward line, Shaun Higgins goaled to put the ‘Dogs 19 points ahead.
But the Cats were sparked into action and they dominated the rest of the third term, kicking five goals to lead by 18 points at three-quarter time.
The highlight of the term was Mackie’s massive goal from outside 60m.
When Hunt goaled from 50m at 15 minutes, it was the first time they had led since early in the first term.
The Bulldogs did most of the attacking at the start of the game, but they wasted their chances.
Geelong opened the scoring with a mark and goal to Mathew Stokes.
The game was scrappy for most of the first half and only three goals were scored in the first term, with the Bulldogs leading by six points at quarter-time.
Bulldogs key position player Jordan Roughead took some strong marks and kicked a goal in the second term as they extended their lead to 13 points.
The visitors were looking stronger before a mark and goal to Cats key forward Tom Hawkins reduced the margin to six points at the main break.
Hawkins also had two set shots in the first term, but sprayed them.
Steven Motlop also kicked two goals in the second term as he tries to break into the senior team for round one.