THE Western Bulldogs held off a spirited Fremantle outfit to notch a 63-point opening round win at Subiaco Oval on Sunday night.

The Bulldogs ran away to win 25.7 (157) to 13.16 (94) after killing off a third quarter surge from Fremantle, but it was a contest that was harder fought and tighter at times than the final score suggested.

The Bulldogs appeared an improved side from the preliminary finalists of last year, despite the late withdrawal of Robert Murphy, and quiet nights from Brad Johnson and Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney.

The visitors were simply too efficient with their disposal, particularly through Lindsay Gilbee (32 possessions and three goals), Daniel Giansiracusa (28) and workhorse Matthew Boyd (34 possessions, seven clearances).

When the match was in the balance in the first half Ryan Griffen (23 possessions and three goals) was electrifying, while Shaun Higgins showed he will add plenty to the side playing either in the midfield or as a small forward.

Fremantle also appeared to have come on, despite the defeat, and blooded youngsters Stephen Hill and Nic Suban. Both kicked a goal but otherwise played minor roles while the returning Paul Hasleby was a stabilising force in the midfield.

Other top performers for Fremantle were Paul Duffield and speedster Brett Peake, while Chris Tarrant's efforts nullifying Johnson were impressive.

Unfortunately for Fremantle fans, conceding eight goals in the final term left the side short-changed for its efforts.

Hill, the No.3 pick overall in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, took to the contest like a veteran. His first possession on debut was an effective handball clearance and, when he was held after disposal, he was marched inside 50m, and duly converted the set shot.

Two minutes later, Rhys Palmer swooped on a spillage deep in attack and kicked an opportunistic major.

It was a dream start for Fremantle but, when Griffen asserted himself on the contest, the Bulldogs settled and then exploded to kick the next five goals.

Griffen had two of those, including a superb running effort from outside 50m, while Mitch Hahn, Dylan Addison and Adam Cooney extended the lead to 16 points.

Two goals to Peake late in the term kept his side close, before Griffen kicked his third to send the Bulldogs into quarter time nine-points clear.

The second term belonged to the visitors as they kicked seven of the next nine goals.

The Bulldogs monopolised the football and carved their way through Fremantle's zone with the precise foot skills of Gilbee and Giansiracusa a feature.

Higgins, who had 16 possessions to half time, playing through the midfield, pushed forward to kick two goals while Jason Akermanis, Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross converted their chances.

Michael Johnson kicked two goals in a minute early in the term for Fremantle, but also made some costly turnovers, as the visitors marched to a 35-point half-time lead.    

Fremantle surged in the third quarter but was inaccurate in front of goal, booting 5.7 for the term.

Luke McPharlin, Byron Schammer and Ryan Murphy did take some of Freo’s chances, while Peake went on a dashing run from the centre square to kick the goal of the match.

Debutant Suban did his best to outdo Peake, kicking truly on his left boot from the boundary line to put his side 22-points in arrears at the final change.

The missed chances continued in the fourth, with Hasleby and Josh Head spraying gettable set shots early in the term.

The Bulldogs' other Brownlow Medallist, Akermanis, highlighted the difference in the sides when he slotted his chance after being tackled high.

Mitch Hahn kicked three of his five goals in the final quarter, while Callan Ward, Nathan Eagleton and Giansiracusa gave the Bulldogs some unexpected early-season percentage.