For the second time in as many seasons Western Bulldogs veteran Brad Johnson missed after the siren as Geelong preserved its unbeaten record with a two-point win at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

In one of the games of the season, the Cats survived by the skin of their teeth, winning 17.14 (116) to 17.12 (114) in a dramatic but heartbreaking end to Jason Akermanis' 300th game.

This was a game the Cats should have won decisively for they led by as many as six goals in the third quarter but they were nearly denied by a resilient Bulldogs side.

Inspired by Akermanis, who kept his team in the game with two goals in the third quarter, the Bulldogs twice clawed their way back within three points in a frantic final term.

Seemingly with the game in the bag after Steve Johnson's fifth put his side 22 points up five minutes into the last term, the Cats relaxed and were nearly made to pay the ultimate price by the Bulldogs.

With Nathan Eagleton and gun pair Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney enjoying their best part of the game, the Bulldogs finished like a freight train, kicking nine of the last 13 goals of the match.

In a thrilling last few minutes, the Bulldogs goaled through Johnson, Akermanis and Liam Picken.

But twice the Cats appeared to ice the game. Jimmy Bartel, in an otherwise quiet night, kept his feet under pressure entering time-on for a major and Travis Varcoe snapped truly with the clock nearing 28 minutes.

It would have been fitting had Varcoe produced the winner in Indigenous Round.

But it would have been more apt had Akermanis been allowed to kick the sealer in his milestone. In one of the last plays of the game, he led but was spoiled by several Cats.

From the ensuing chain of possessions, the ball landed in Brad Johnson's arms only for him to miss to the left with his checkside.

To lay the blame at Johnson's errant right boot would be unjust as Johnson, along with Akermanis, was one of his side's best.

Where the Bulldogs fell down was during the first and third quarters when they were unable to unleash their running game against a slick and mean Geelong machine.

Griffen and Cooney were quiet but partially redeemed themselves in the second half.

Also of concern was their forward line which, minus a big target, was reliant on the brilliance of Johnson and Akermanis.

Meanwhile,