GIDGEGANNUP went into their round 15 Hills Football Association game against Mt Helena needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Towards the end of the third quarter the Bulldogs starting kicking unanswered goals resulting in a 15.7 (97) to 6.5 (41) victory for Gidgegannup.

Ryan Watters scored the first goal for the Lions followed by one from Bulldog Dylan Cahill. Both teams went goal for goal in the first quarter with the Bulldogs holding a one point-lead at the first break.

The second quarter was a low scoring arm wrestle with neither team being able to gain an ascendancy as the ball bounced backwards and forwards between the two half lines.

Brendan Agnew was assigned a different role as a defender while Zac Read continued his consistent season in the backline.

Josh Carter held firm, repelling several of the Lions forward entries.

Gidgegannup had extended their lead to seven points when the half time siren sounded.

The tight contest continued after the main break, another goal to Ryan Watters took his game tally to five, Jarrad Young replied for the Bulldogs.

With about eight minutes left of the third quarter the game swung as the Bulldogs kicked the next three goals leading into the last break.

Liam Marriott became unstoppable, popping up everywhere collecting possessions at will, Jarrad Young became more involved as Gidgegannup lifted all over the ground.

The Bulldogs carried the momentum into the last quarter kicking five goals to the Lions nil.

Sean Nagle enjoyed the support a group of his retired team mates who had gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gidgegannup’s 2015 grand final win.

The Bulldogs shared the scoring with eight individual goal scorers while Ryan Watters scored five of the Lions six goals for the game.