Lewis Young wasn't supposed to play on Friday night.

But Aaron Naughton's withdrawal meant 197cm Young, who struggled for opportunities the past two years after a bright debut season, was thrust into action in the club's Marsh Community Series opener.

The night belonged to Marcus Bontempelli, who stuffed the stat sheet at Marvel Stadium with 37 disposals (17 contested), 10 clearances, 11 inside 50s and two goals in a best-on-ground performance.

Bontempelli was so impressive he might be the Brownlow Medal favourite by the start of the weekend.

However, it's 21-year-old swingman Young who might have given his coach Luke Beveridge something to ponder.

The Bulldogs were the stronger team on paper, and put the Roos to the sword with the first three goals of the second half to eventually triumph15.11 (101) to 9.3 (57).

Young put his side on the path to victory with two goals in the opening quarter and three to half-time – all after marks, two courtesy of slick Bontempelli passes – in a surprise star showing.

His best football to date has been in defencebut Alex Keath's arrival from Adelaide means it won't be any easier for him to break in.

Young partnered Josh Schache in a two-tall attack and they both had their moments against a North backline that is still a work in progress without Tarrant (foot).

If Naughton is unable to recover in time for the opening round then Young has, at worst, put himself in the frame.

The Dogs' glamour onball brigade almost all fired, with Lachie Hunter (30 possessions), Jack Macrae (31) and Josh Dunkley (23), like Bontempelli, winning a mountain of the Sherrin.

Fourth-year bull Jy Simpkin stood up with many of his more heralded midfield mates watching on, while Aiden Bonar and the hugely talented Tarryn Thomas received minutes in the centre, too.

Majak Daw made his triumphant return from serious hip and pelvic injuries as he works towards playing in round one, while fellow defenders Sam Durdin and Josh Walker also put their hands up.

Ed Richards (concussion) left the ground after a second-quarter incident and did not return.

NEW FACES

Western Bulldogs: Alex Keath was the sole off-season addition to set foot on Marvel Stadium on Friday night. The former Crows defender always loomed as a wonderful fit at the Kennel and he thrived with his intercept marking against the Roos. Spent a chunk of the night playing as the spare man down back.

NEXT UP

The Bulldogs' second Marsh Community Series game is on Saturday, March 7 against Port Adelaide at South Australia's Bennett Oval, Whyalla. 

An intra-Club match will take place at VU Whitten Oval next Saturday 

WESTERN BULLDOGS     4.4       7.7       11.10   15.11 (101)
NORTH MELBOURNE     4.0       5.1       7.2       9.3 (57) 

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Young 3, Lloyd 3, Schache 2, Bontempelli 2, Dickson, Dale, Wallis, Hunter, McLean
North Melbourne: Larkey 2, Xerri 2, Goldstein, Thomas, Anderson, Taylor, Garner 

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Hunter, Macrae, Young, Crozier, Dunkley
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Simpkin, Walker, Anderson, Thomas, Dumont 

INJURIES

Western Bulldogs: Naughton (knee), replaced in selected side by Lewis Young, Richards (concussion)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Meredith, Lewis, Simmonds
Official crowd: 5465 at Marvel Stadium