IT STARTED out as the same old story for the Western Bulldogs. 

They had the better of play in the opening term, but poor finishing meant the more efficient Richmond led at the first break.

Then came the Aaron Naughton show.

BULLDOGS PUT BITE ON TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

The prodigiously talented teenager burst out of his form slump with a scintillating second quarter, booting three goals in a quickfire burst on his way to a career-high haul of five and an astounding nine contested marks to help his side take advantage of its supremacy and run out 47-point winners at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

In Bulldogs premiership-coach Luke Beveridge's 100th game in charge, his team broke a four-game losing streak to post a 15.9 (99) to 7.10 (52) victory.

Superstar Marcus Bontempelli was in imperious form, putting together a stellar first term and splitting his time as an onballer and in attack.

'JESUS WOULD'VE STRUGGLED' Aaron Naughton was unstoppable

Bontempelli's brilliance was highlighted early, when he nailed Sam Lloyd with his pinpoint left boot from the middle then pushed hard forward to mark in a pocket and finish with class from a very tight angle.

The numbers don't always tell the tale, but a stats line of 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances and three goals reflected what was an outstanding display.

The man of the moment was Naughton though. At 19, the backman-turned-forward had struggled since a mouth-watering opening round performance in a victory over Sydney, having bagged just three goals since then and none in his past two outings.

His stunning aerial skills were on full display, making Nathan Broad look sub-par on multiple occasions and at one stage, flying high to take an exceptional grab over three Tigers.

Naughton's prominence highlighted the absence of Richmond's two pillars down back, Alex Rance (right knee reconstruction) and David Astbury (left ankle), while hamstrung captain Trent Cotchin's excellence through the midfield could certainly have been used.

Boom recruit Tom Lynch was kept goalless by Jackson Trengove and was buried in a bruising tackle by the former Port Adelaide utility, who made a compelling case to lock down a spot in the Dogs' best 22.

DOG PACK NOT READY Beveridge says Tom Boyd still a long way off

Just as the Bulldogs were on fire at the beginning of the second quarter, they repeated the dose in the third term. The most inaccurate side in the competition found a method to ensure they wouldn't fritter away their chances, with Billy Gowers, Bontempelli and Naughton all putting it through from close range as the Dogs finished with more goals than behinds for only the second time in 2019.

WATCH Aaron Naughton unleashes in breakout performance

That run came after Richmond big man Noah Balta showed off his speed to bring his team within seven points.

The Tigers relied on too few. Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and Dustin Martin worked hard while Sydney Stack and Jack Ross continued their impressive debut campaigns.

DIMMA WANTS SOME LUCK Injuries continue to stack up at Tigerland

Victory for the Dogs breathed life into a season that had been sputtering, moving them to 3-4, while Richmond had its three-match win streak broken in a topsy-turvy year which has seen upsets occur with remarkable regularity.

MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: The Dogs appeared to escape unscathed.

Richmond: Electric forward Daniel Rioli was forced to the bench with a left thigh complaint after a heavy collision in a marking contest with Lachie Young in the opening term, but returned to the field, albeit seemingly under some duress. Important defender Nick Vlastuin went down to the rooms battling a leg concern but came back on and contributed well.

NEXT UP
The Western Bulldogs will look to even up their ledger when they host Brisbane next Saturday afternoon in Ballarat, while Richmond close out the round when it travels west to face Fremantle the following day.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.5    6.7    12.8    15.9 (99)
RICHMOND                  3.2    4.6     7.7      7.10 (52) 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Bontempelli 3, Gowers 2, McLean, Lloyd, Smith, Johannisen, Richards
Richmond: Stack, Baker, Ross, Caddy, McIntosh, Houli, Balta 

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Naughton, Bontempelli, Macrae, Dunkley, McLean, Daniel, Lloyd
Richmond: Stack, Prestia, Lambert, Vlastuin, Martin 

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Richmond: Rioli (ribs, corked thigh) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Stephens, Hay

Official crowd: 36,151 at Marvel Stadium