More bark...even more bite!

Western Bulldogs bring Brisbane Lions down to earth

• From:AAP 
• March 30, 2013 4:53PM

Bulldogs mature-aged recruit Brett Goodes clears from defence against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE Western Bulldogs have smashed pre-season premiers Brisbane by 68 points in a stunning round-one AFL upset.

The Bulldogs defied predictions of a tough season by dominating from the start and winning 19.13 (127) to 7.17 (59) at Etihad Stadium.

Ruckman Will Minson was outstanding and former Port Adelaide midfielder Nick Lower completely shut Lions star Daniel Rich out of the game.

Brett Goodes, the younger brother of Sydney star Adam, had a dream AFL debut at the age of 29 with his faultless game off half-back.

Another Bulldogs newcomer, ex-West Coast onballer Koby Stevens, also impressed before he left the game in the third term with a leg injury.

The win is a major confidence boost for the Bulldogs, who are a popular choice to finish in the bottom four this season.

By contrast, the Lions were unrecognisable from the powerful combination that easily beat Carlton in the NAB Cup final.

While Brisbane deserved favouritism after winning the NAB Cup, the Bulldogs' pre-season featured a 109-point pummelling from Fremantle - their opponents at Etihad Stadium next weekend.Pearce Hanley was either reported or will come under video scrutiny for a late challenge on Daniel Giansiracusa, also in the third quarter.They were belted at the stoppages and adding to their woes, defender Matt Maguire was subbed off in the third term with a leg injury.

Bulldogs star Adam Cooney was playing despite being in hospital only days earlier with a knee infection and captain Matthew Boyd (calf) was a big absentee.

But the Dogs looked much better from the start, keeping Brisbane goal-less in the first term and taking a 31-point lead.

Lower restricted Rich to just only one possession in the opening quarter.

The Lions had their chances, but kicking 0.6 in the first term was disastrous.

Brisbane predictably rallied early in the second term, with former Demons Brent Moloney kicking their first goal in the first minute.

Another goal from Rich in the third minute reduced the margin to 20 points, but that would be the closest they would come.

The Bulldogs kicked three of the last four goals in the second term, giving them a 37-point lead at the long break.

They capped off a great day by kicking six goals to two in the third term for a 61-point lead at the last change.

Bulldogs forward Luke Dahlhaus was helped off the ground in the last term after a heavy collision.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.1 10.5 16.9 19.13 (127)
BRISBANE 0.6 3.10 5.14 7.17 (59)

Goals: Western Bulldogs: D Giansiracusa 3 S Higgins 3 A Cordy 2 L Dahlhaus 2 R Griffen 2 R Murphy 2 T Dickson 2 A Cooney J Johannissen L Jones. Brisbane: A Cornelius B Moloney C Beams D Rich J Brown J Redden S Martin.
Best: Western Bulldogs: W Minson N Lower B Goodes R Griffen M Wallis D Morris J Roughead K Stevens R Murphy T Liberatore. Brisbane: T Rockliff B Moloney. Umpires: Jeff Dalgleish, Robert Findlay, Dean Margetts. Official Crowd: 25,263 at Etihad Stadium.

AAP