THIS was meant to be the game that saw football played how we like it, a match containing two teams who attack and attack in spite of the congestion problem plaguing the competition.

But for the neutrals who might have come along expecting to see an engaging contest between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, the Dogs had other ideas. Luke Beveridge's side spotted another important win, and went big.

It was engaging, but for purely red, white and blue reasons. 

The Dogs' ascent up the ladder continued on Saturday with their 64-point win over the Power at Etihad Stadium, which saw them move into fourth position on the ladder. If results go their way, they might stay there by the end of round 19.

It also all but ended Port's slim finals hopes.  

Few (if any) would have predicted either of those things in March.

But judging by the Dogs' rampant form against the Power in the 19.14 (128) to 9.10 (64) victory, there might be more mountains climbed yet. They were at their clinical but instinctive best under the Docklands roof, showing dare and dash but combining it with strength at the clearances and muscle around the ground.

Contributors were on every line. Mitch Wallis (28 disposals) dominated throughout, Lachie Hunter's growth as a midfielder continued with 31 disposals, stand-in skipper Matthew Boyd (32 touches) gave good drive off half-back and fellow defender Shane Biggs was smart with his 27 disposals.

Again their slightly unusual forward set up was too hot to handle, with Jake Stringer and Jack Redpath booting four goals each and Stewart Crameri and Tory Dickson kicking three.

The Stringer show has built a big following this year, and again had its twists, turns and trademark snaps. He keeps crowds entertained, lights up afternoons and leaves fans wanting more. You get the sense he will like the finals stage.  

There isn't a forward like the third-year Western Bulldog in the competition, and his bag against the Power took his season tally to 40. He left the field several times with injury scares but still managed to see out the game.  

Alongside him Dickson chipped in, proving his abilities as a smart and efficient medium forward. Crameri did his bit in a busy display, Redpath booted all his goals in the last quarter, while smalls Caleb Daniel and Luke Dahlhaus were hard to contain at ground level.

The mystery of Port Adelaide in 2015 got deeper, with the pre-season premiership favourites slumping to their 10th defeat of the season which left them at least two wins outside the top-eight.

Their stop-and-start form across the year was evident again facing the Bulldogs, after a quick and lively opening amounted to little.

Wingard was active early, taking the first mark of the game, setting up the first goal and having the biggest say of the first quarter. Of the Power's three opening-term majors, the star forward kicked one and delivered brilliant passes to the other two goalkickers who converted their shots.

The Bulldogs took a little time to settle to Port's quick start, and were without the cool and uncluttered mind of captain Robert Murphy off half-back. But 50-gamer Jack Macrae kept things in control in the midfield with 12 first-quarter disposals, and by the first change they had chopped the deficit from 19 points to seven.

Port barely gave another yelp as the Dogs piled on the goals thereafter. They kicked seven goals to none in the second term to hold a 38-point lead at half-time, which was a gap that was never threatened.

And just like last week's huge win over Essendon, the Bulldogs sniffed a percentage-boosting win and took it.

The end margin not only demonstrated the huge gap between the teams on the day, but also for the year: one as the season's biggest disappointment, the other its brightest spot.

Stewart Crameri salutes the rabid Dogs fans after a goal on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.2  9.7  12.13  19.14 (128)
PORT ADELAIDE           3.3  3.5    6.7      9.10 (64)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Redpath 4, Stringer 4, Dickson 3, Crameri 3, Grant, Wallis, Bontempelli, Daniel, Picken
Port Adelaide: Wingard 2, Schulz 2, Westhoff, Ryder, White, Boak, Gray

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Wallis, Stringer, Dickson, Boyd, Dahlhaus, Macrae, Grant
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Ebert, Broadbent, Hartlett

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Bailey Dale replaced Tory Dickson in the fourth quarter
Port Adelaide: Sam Colquhoun replaced Matthew Lobbe in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Findlay, Ryan, Mitchell

Official crowd: 20,590 at Etihad Stadium