The Western Bulldogs have been overrun by the Giants in a tale of two halves at Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs produced a dominant opening half to take a 29-point buffer into the main break, before a Giants’ second-half surge flipped the tables in the 10.13 (73) to 11.12 (78) result.

Bailey Smith got off to the perfect start with his side’s opening goal, after skipper Marcus Bontempelli unselfishly set the 100-gamer up with the shot.

Returning rebounder Jason Johannisen was next in line, bulleting one through before influential ruck Tim English made it three straight for the Dogs.

00:33

JJ on the board in return

Jason Johannisen kicks one on the run to bring up our second.

Slick ball movement provided opportunities for the hosts to capitalize in the second but the breeze wreaked havoc in front of goal.

Despite this, the Dogs looked in control and were on track to continuing their dominance, before the Giants swung momentum in their favour in the third and eventually cutting the margin back to single digits at the last change.

Playing with one rotation down after losing Josh Bruce (knee) in the third quarter - with Alex Keath (concussion) already subbed off earlier - the Dogs’ defensive stocks were stretched.

00:28

Key Dog subbed out early in second term with concussion

Bulldogs defender Alex Keath won't return this afternoon after a heavy landing in this marking contest

The Bulldogs relinquished the lead midway through the last quarter, and while Bailey Dale’s late major provided a pulse, they couldn’t find a way to strike again in the dying minutes.

Dale impressed all over the ground, finishing with 37 touches, eight marks, 11 rebound 50s and one goal, while English (25 disposals, eight marks, 33 hit-outs, seven inside 50s, two goals) was impactful.

Tom Liberatore continued his brilliance, recording 35 disposals, 10 clearances, five tackles and 10 score involvements, followed closely by Adam Treloar (34 disposals, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals) and Bontempelli (27 disposals, seven clearances, seven inside 50s).

Aaron Naughton remains one of only two players across the competition to have kicked at least one goal in every game.

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back when they host Richmond on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.5 6.10 9.10 10.13 (73)

GWS GIANTS 1.3 2.5 8.8 11.12 (78)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: English 2, Treloar 2, Weightman, Naughton, West, Dale, Johannisen, Smith
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 5, Riccardi 3, Brown, Daniels, Kelly

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Alex Keath (concussion), Josh Bruce (knee)
Greater Western Sydney: None

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Rhylee West (replaced Alex Keath in the second quarter)
Greater Western Sydney: Nick Haynes (replaced Aaron Cadman in the third quarter)

Crowd: TBC at Mars Stadium, Ballarat