A RETURN to bold football has seen the Western Bulldogs triumph over the Adelaide Crows in a high-scoring contest at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

In an enthralling game that went down to the wire, it was a more composed and calm Bulldogs side that banked the four points, in what coach Luke Beveridge described as an "outstanding win".

The Dogs are no strangers to tight matches and have rued missed opportunities, against Hawthorn in round three, and North Melbourne last Friday night.

Beveridge said that last week's loss to the Kangaroos was a wake-up call that forced the Bulldogs to change their mindset against the Crows, opting for a more attacking, daring brand of footy.

"Sometimes you need a reminder," Beveridge said after the 15-point win.

"We asked our players to branch out and explore their attacking game a little bit more. Although we conceded some goals, we did use the ball a hell of a lot better.

"We were bolder, we found teammates in open space and challenged their defence.

"We just had a level of calmness and a level of composure when they were really coming at us. It's an outstanding win and a big night for our side."

The Bulldogs are the No.1 defensive side in the competition, but for the first time they conceded over 100 points with Adelaide big man Josh Jenkins kicking a career-high eight goals.

While Jenkins stole the show at one end, it was young star Marcus Bontempelli that shone brightest for the Bulldogs.

The 20-year-old amassed a career-high 30 possessions, four clearances and kicked two goals in the victory.

But perhaps most impressive was his composure and ability to steady his side when the game was in the balance.

With the Dogs leading by just three points, Bontempelli kicked a clutch goal with under a minute left in the game, to seal the win.

Beveridge praised the maturity of the athletic midfielder, noting the importance of his leadership in the absence of skipper Bob Murphy.

"He was outstanding, Marcus," the coach said.

"He had a lot more of the ball than he usually gets. It was great to see him ice that goal late in the game, to put that game to bed in a pivotal moment for us. It allowed my heart rate to go down 30 beats. For a young player and a young man he really leads the way."

Along with Bontempelli, the more experienced heads of Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris and Jed Adcock also helped steady the young Bulldogs.

After a tough game against the Kangaroos, in which he was criticsed for being selfish, forward Jake Stringer responded strongly.

The 22-year-old looked dangerous earlier and played on bravely in the second half after corking his left quad in the second quarter.

Stringer finished with 17 disposals, four goals, and five marks, but more significantly recorded five score assists as he brought his teammates into the game.

"Jake played a terrific game. He played a really rounded and balanced game tonight where he came up to the footy, shared it with his teammates and got some reward on the scoreboard as well," Beveridge said.

"As I've said over the previous weeks, he's learning all the time. He's still a young player who gets a lot of attention and it's really important that we support him in the right way."

After playing their first seven games of the season at Etihad Stadium, the Bulldogs will have to venture outside their home ground for the first time next Sunday, when they face Melbourne at the MCG.