Rodney Eade's men set up their eighth defeat of Richmond in the past nine meetings between the clubs by piling on 11 goals in the first 40 minutes of the game.
Up by 52 points at that stage, the Bulldogs were challenged strongly during the third term when the Tigers narrowed the margin to just 12.
But the Dogs again surged clear, reigniting their finals hopes with a 23.15 (153) to 18.10 (118) victory; their third win of the year.
Callan Ward (27 possessions) was outstanding in the midfield for the Bulldogs, while key defender Dale Morris held the competition's leading scorer, Jack Riewoldt, to four goals.
Usual backman Lindsay Gilbee, who went into the match having kicked only two goals for the season, was the hero of the early onslaught.
Having lined up deep in attack, Gilbee had the better of four different opponents - Chris Newman, Reece Conca, Bachar Houli and Dylan Grimes - in the first half as he booted five goals.
He finished his 194th game with a career-best haul of six (his previous best effort was four).
Despite being without Shane Edwards, who was subbed off early in the first quarter after a head-clash with Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd, Richmond charged back into the contest.
The Tigers kicked eight goals to one either side of the half-time break, with Brad Miller and Tyrone Vickery picking up the slack as the Dogs' defenders concentrated on Riewoldt.
However, the Bulldogs grabbed the ascendancy again during the latter part of the third quarter.
They booted six of the next seven goals to lead by 45 points at the final change.
The Tigers never gave up, but their drought against the Dogs goes on. They haven't beaten them since 2005.
Western Bulldogs 7.2 12.4 18.11 23.15 (153)
Richmond 1.4 6.8 11.8 18.10 (118)
GOALS
Bulldogs: Gilbee 6, Minson 4, Grant 3, Jones 2, Liberatore 2, Hargrave, Ward, Murphy, Moles, Giansiracusa, Cooney
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Miller 3, Vickery 2, Martin 2, Foley 2, Jackson, Helbig, Graham, King, Nason.
BEST
Bulldogs: Ward, Boyd, Murphy, Cross, Hargrave, Hudson, Griffen, Grant, Morris
Richmond: Nahas, Conca, Jackson, Riewoldt, Vickery
INJURIES
Richmond: Shane Edwards (fractured cheekbone)
SUBSTITUTES
Bulldogs: Josh Hill replaced by Brodie Moles at three-quarter time.
Richmond: Shane Edwards (fractured cheekbone) replaced by Ben Nason during the first quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Findlay, Jennings, McInerney
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the the club
