A seven-goal third-quarter blitz has helped the Western Bulldogs to their third win of the 2022 season.

In the 1000^th AFL game at Marvel Stadium, the Bulldogs were clinical after half-time, cruising to a 16.7 (103) to 10.11 (71) win over Essendon on Sunday afternoon.

After running out to a 50-point lead halfway through the last, the Bulldogs had done more than enough to seal the win despite conceding the last three goals of the match.

The opening half was more of an arm wrestle, with just 14 points separating the two at the main break.

But it was the third quarter where the Bulldogs put their foot down – slotting 7.1 to 3.3 to establish a healthy buffer with one term to play.

Star midfielder Josh Dunkley (29 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s, two goals) was terrific in his milestone match, while Jack Macrae (28, five marks, five clearances), Bailey Smith (26, seven inside 50s, one goal) and Adam Treloar (22, four marks, six clearances) were impactful.

Accuracy in front of goal was also a highlight, with contributions from 10 individual goalkickers.

Lachie McNeil finished with three to his name, and second-gamer Robbie McComb slotted two goals in his maiden career win.   

Taylor Duryea, Ryan Gardner and Ed Richards were strong in defence, and Bailey Dale was electric with 28 touches and 724 metres gained.

Mitch Wallis slotted two opening term goals, but was subbed out of the match in the last quarter with a foot injury.

The Bulldogs will next face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.1          6.3          13.4        16.7 (103)
ESSENDON                          2.3          3.7          6.10        10.11 (71)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: McNeil 3, Dunkley 2, McComb 2, Wallis 2, Weightman 2, Bontempelli, Cordy, B.Smith, R.Smith, Vandermeer
Essendon: Wright 4, Cutler 2, Baldwin, Draper, Guelfi, Stringer

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Dunkley, McNeil, Bontempelli, Smith, McComb, Treloar
Essendon: Draper, Martin, Parish, Merrett, Ridley, McGrath, Wright

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Wallis (foot)
Essendon: Cox (leg)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Josh Schache (replaced Wallis)
Essendon: Dylan Shiel (replaced Cox)

Crowd: 33,677 at Marvel Stadium