In the first ever clash between the two teams at the 'G, the Bulldogs 19.17 (131) defeated the Lions 10.8 (68) to claim 10 wins, one draw and one loss after 12 rounds. It was also a record crowd at any venue featuring these teams.
Never before in their opening 12 matches of a season have the Bulldogs won 10 matches and lost just one match – remembering the Dogs drew against Richmond in round five earlier this season. Previously, the Bulldogs had won 10 matches and lost twice from their first 12 matches in 1946 and 1992.
After a trailing at quarter time, the Bulldogs upped the ante and never looked back, piling on 17 goals to seven in a comprehensive display. Again, it was the club's two Brownlow Medal fancies – Adam Cooney and Jason Akermanis – who shone.
Cooney's blistering season continued when he gathered 10 disposals – including five contested in the first quarter. From there he finished with a game-high 37 touches. Akermanis' past month has been phenomenal and he continued his form with three goals.
Matthew Boyd has also been in excellent form in recent weeks and continued the run with 32 disposals, including 23 by the main break. Ryan Griffen, despite playing with a corked leg, was also among his side's best. Up forward, Scott Welsh bagged five goals.
For the Lions, Luke Power was excellent with 33 disposals, while Josh Drummond and Jonathan Brown were among their team's best.
The opening term was a frustrating period for the Bulldogs.
Despite having more scoring shots, greater disposal numbers and entries inside 50, the Dogs trailed at quarter time.
It was a goal-for-goal affair – the home side got the ball rolling via Welsh – but when Jared Brennan nonchalantly checksided from close range, the Lions had a slim two-point advantage going into the second quarter.
Brown was dangerous early on with two goals and nine touches.
Griffen copped his corked thigh early in the second term and looked to be in trouble, but he was back out on the field before the major break, as the Dogs combined wonderfully in a dominant quarter.
Welsh again kicked off proceedings and by the 16-minute mark, the Bulldogs had posted five goals to one – including back-to-back goals from Robert Murphy.
Rhan Hooper kicked the Lions only other goal for the quarter at the 18-minute mark, reducing the margin back to 20 points at the long break.
Akermanis was excellent in the third term with two classy goals, as the Bulldogs continued to hold sway. The Dogs added five goals to three and when Brad Johnson became his side's fifth multiple goalkicker, the red, white and blue led by 40 points.
A Drummond goal in time-on gave the Lions a flicker of hope entering the final stanza.
Soon the Bulldogs' 35-point three quarter-time lead was reduced to 23 points after Lions' duo Hooper and Anthony Corrie opened the final term with successive goals.
But that was the only glimmer shown by the visitors for the rest of the match, as the Dogs piled on a further seven unanswered goals to ensure their fifth consecutive win over the Lions.
Western Bulldogs 2.6 7.12 12.15 19.17 (131)
Brisbane Lions 3.2 5.4 8.4 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Welsh 5, Akermanis 3, Johnson 3, Cooney 2, Murphy 2, Addison, Hahn, Ray, Ward
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Hooper 2, Adcock, Black, Brennan, Corrie, Drummond
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Akermanis, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Johnson, Welsh, Hargrave
Brisbane Lions: Power, Drummond, Brown, Charman, Adcock
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa (cut head), Griffen (corked thigh)
Brisbane Lions: Rischitelli (hip) replaced in selected side by Polkinghorne
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Stevic, McInerney
Official crowd: 39,320 at MCG
The views expressed in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
