The Western Bulldogs have capped off their 2023 pre-season preparations with a dominant 58-point victory over North Melbourne in Saturday’s practice match.
The Bulldogs’ first hit-out against opposition provided plenty of highlights, leading from start to finish in the 22.11 (143) to 13.7 (85) display.
Their strength in the contest was evident, winning 26 more contested possessions and nine more clearances than the Roos, while outscoring them by 50 points from stoppages alone.
Liam Jones was a welcome return in defensive 50, claiming a game-high 11 marks to go with 19 disposals and 13 intercepts, while Tom Liberatore was a stand-out with 33 touches, seven tackles, two goals and nine clearances.
The forward-line – stacked with height – contributed 10 goals, with a bag of four from Aaron Naughton (14 disposals, six tackles, five marks), three for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (14, seven marks), and two for versatile tall Sam Darcy (11, five marks).
Recruit Rory Lobb also slotted his first in the red, white and blue, as did Oskar Baker.
Anthony Scott impressed with three goals from 18 touches and seven score involvements, while Bailey Smith worked his way into the match to finish with 30 possessions and six inside 50s.
Vice-captain Jack Macrae was at his accumulative best, notching up 32 disposals and eight marks, while the skipper Marcus Bontempelli produced a two-goal third term to help extend the growing lead.
On the injury front, Taylor Duryea and Ed Richards both left the field at quarter-time, while Hayden Crozier (dislocated finger) did not return for the final term.
The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to round one against Melbourne in a fortnight, on Saturday 18 March at the MCG.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.4 13.6 19.9 22.11 (143)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.1 7.4 8.4 13.7 (85)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 4, Scott 3, Ugle-Hagan 3, Liberatore 2, Darcy 2, A.Jones 2, Bontempelli 2, Baker, Treloar, Lobb, West
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Powell 2, Simpkin, Davies-Uniacke, Curtis, Sheezel, Goldstein, Goater, Stephenson, Turner
