The Western Bulldogs have taken home the chocolates in Good Friday’s ‘Kick for the Kids’ match against North Melbourne, running out 128-point winners at Marvel Stadium.
The Bulldogs managed to keep the Kangaroos to just two goals after half-time, adding 12 unanswered majors of their own in the process to record a 25.17 (167) to 5.9 (39) demolition.
The triumph takes the Bulldogs to 3-0 this season, the first time they have done so since 2009, while also breaking the record as the biggest win in the Club's history.
After going into the first break with just a two-goal advantage, the Dogs put their foot on the gas in the second and didn't take it off until the final siren.
Even going into the final quarter 74 points up, when the game was more than won, the Bulldogs continued to bring the pressure.
Josh Bruce starred with a career-best 10 majors – four of which came in the final quarter alone – while Adam Treloar (27 disposals, nine inside-50s) and 50-gamer Tim English contributed with a trio of goals each.
On-ballers Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae both finished with 33 touches apiece, while veteran defender Easton Wood (22 disposals, eight marks) made a successful return from a hamstring injury.
The only sour note was losing emerging defender Ryan Gardner to an AC joint shoulder injury in the first minute of play, forcing the Bulldogs to activate their medical sub in Pat Lipinski.
The Western Bulldogs will now have an eight-day break before hosting the Brisbane Lions at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 3.4 3.8 5.9 (39)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.2 9.6 15.10 25.17 (167)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Stephenson 2, Hall, Larkey, Lazzaro
Western Bulldogs: Bruce 10, Treloar 3, English 3, Naughton 2, Dale 2, Lipinski, McNeil, Dunkley, Bontempelli, Scott
BEST
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Simpkin, Stephenson, Hall
Western Bulldogs: Bruce, Treloar, Dunkley, Smith, English, Macrae, Daniel
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Polec (hamstring), Anderson (ankle)
Western Bulldogs: Gardner (shoulder)
