A six-goal haul to star forward Josh Bruce has helped the Western Bulldogs to a commanding 49-point win against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Bruce’s equal career-best performance was complimented by a host of strong performers across the board, as the Bulldogs led from start to finish on their way to a 13.9 (87) to 5.8 (38) triumph on Saturday night.

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

It gives the Bulldogs a third consecutive win for and takes them inside the top eight for the first time in 2020.

06:29

Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Watch all the action from the Western Bulldogs' 49-point victory over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The Bulldogs completed the game with 20 fit players, after concussions to Bailey Smith in the first quarter and the impressive Laitham Vandermeer just before three quarter time.

Remarkably, it was a job done without starring roles being played by usual suspects Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae, and with the likes of Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter, Aaron Naughton and Sam Lloyd on the sidelines.

00:47

Schach's dash back gets him a goal

Forward Josh Schache wins the race back to goal to soccer through a goal.

The Bulldogs controlled the ball, with 334 disposals to the Kangaroos’ 267, and were able to capitalise heading forward, with 15 marks inside 50 to just six.

A six-point lead at the first change was extended to 20 points at the major break, thanks to Bruce’s third major after the siren.

It was in the third term the Bulldogs kicked away, with a string of five unanswered goals – including Bruce’s fourth and fifth – giving them a 43-point advantage at the final interval.

02:39

Bruce bags six snags

North had no answer for Josh Bruce as he helped guide his side to victory with an excellent six-goal performance

Mitch Wallis and Josh Schache each added a second major in the last quarter, before Bruce’s sixth capped off the night.

Ruckman Tim English continued his stellar month of football, racking up 22 disposals and eight marks to win his battle with Kangaroos star Todd Goldstein, while tough midfielder Tom Liberatore (23 disposals, five clearances) was important in the clinches.

Toby McLean played an important shutdown role on Shaun Higgins (14 disposals) while finishing with 22 disposals himself.

In defence, the Bulldogs were superb for a third week in a row.

Alex Keath and Zaine Cordy were strong in the key posts as Ben Brown went goalless, while Easton Wood was at his dynamic best on return from injury, dominating in the air with nine marks.

Breaking the lines and driving the Bulldogs from defence to attack were Jason Johannisen and Caleb Daniel, who each finished with 22 disposals and more than 400 metres gained.

The Bulldogs will now head to a Gold Coast hub, ahead of matches against Carlton and Essendon. 

All The Highlights & Interviews
  • 07:04

    Josh Bruce on the Sunday Footy Show

    Watch Key forward Josh Bruce speak to Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show following his six goal haul in the Bulldogs' 49-point win over North Melbourne in Round 5.

    AFL
  • 02:49

    Josh Schache | 'We just had to keep grinding'

    Hear from Josh Schache following the win over the Kangaroos on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.

    AFL
  • 13:54

    Beveridge | 'Our back seven were just outstanding'

    Watch Western Bulldogs's press conference after round five's match against North Melbourne

    AFL
  • 02:39

    Bruce bags six snags

    North had no answer for Josh Bruce as he helped guide his side to victory with an excellent six-goal performance

    AFL
  • 06:29

    Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

    Watch all the action from the Western Bulldogs' 49-point victory over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Sing it loud, Bulldogs celebrate big win

    Enter the Bulldogs' inner sanctum after the Saturday night win over North Melbourne, and watch the team sing the song.

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Schach's dash back gets him a goal

    Forward Josh Schache wins the race back to goal to soccer through a goal.

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Bruce gives Dogs a fast start

    Josh Bruce takes a strong mark and slots his first goal from close range after a 50m penalty

    AFL

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS      2.2   5.5   10.6   13.9 (87)
NORTH MELBOURNE        1.2   2.3    3.5    5.8 (38)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bruce 6, Wallis 2, Schache 2, Dale, Vandermeer, Richards, 
North Melbourne: Goldstein 2, Taylor 2, Zurhaar

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bruce, Liberatore, English, Wood, Johannisen, McLean, Keath, Daniel
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Tarrant, Anderson, Dumont, Goldstein, Polec 

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Smith (concussion), Vandermeer (concussion)
North Melbourne: Thomas (concussion), Cunnington (TBC), Higgins (leg)

AFL Round 5 | Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

In the their final matches before moving to interstate hubs, the Western Bulldogs hosted North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Led by a six goal haul from power forward Josh Bruce, the Western Bulldogs ran away 49-point victors.
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