The Brisbane Lions could not replicate last week's QClash heroics, struggling to hold a strong-running Western Bulldogs in a 53-point loss at Etihad Stadium.
Losing Tom Cutler and Allen Christensen to injury before halftime did not help but the visitors were simply outworked and outmuscled in a game they believed they could challenge the injury-hit Dogs.
Things started well enough for the Lions - goals to Ryan Lester and returning skipper Tom Rockliff giving them an early 10-point lead off the back of some manic pressure around the contests.
The Bulldogs were dominating the Inside 50 count but inaccurate kicking and some good spoiling work by Dan Merrett and Harris Andrews saw the Lions stay right in the contest. Ryan Bastinac and Mitch Robinson were impressive with a number of important touches while Josh Schache wasn't afraid to get in-and-under.
But a dislocated shoulder to Cutler just before quarter time coincided with the Bulldogs putting the foot down.
Three goals in three minutes just before quarter time to Dalhaus, Stringer and McLean gave the Bulldogs a 24-13 lead at the first break, while another in the first minute of the second term stretched the lead.
An arm wrestle ensued for the next 10 minutes with good attack on the ball by both sides before a Tom Campbell goal for the Bulldogs was quickly cancelled out by a Lester goal that came from a great Josh Green charge out of the centre square.
Two goals from free kicks to Marcus Bontempelli in as many minutes saw the deficit blow out before a massive snap from Stringer and crumbing goal from Dalhaus took the game right away from the Lions.
A nice Dayne Zorko crumb and goal from stoppage just before halftime cut the lead to 34 points - the 96-63 contested possession count in favour of the home team at the main break was the main thing that had to be addressed by the Lions.
But with Cutler and Christensen (concussion) both ruled out of the match at the main break, things looked grim.
Lions' injuries aside, it was superior Bulldog workrate in the third term that saw them pull away to a nine-goal advantage, which could have been more if they kicked straight.
Two goals to the Lions in as many minutes right on three quarter time left the Bulldogs leading by 43 points - one a sweet piece of Zorko opportunism, the other a Schache finish from close range from some good team ball movement.
But the final contested possession count of 176-125 against, clearances 44-25 against, as well as a return to a lopsided free kick count against of 24-12 meant there was no way back for the Lions.
Zorko was the best for his side with 21 possessions, 6 marks, 5 tackles and 2 goals, while Robinson (27 disposals), Lester (17 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals) and Bastinac (20 possessions, 6 marks, 5 tackles) had some good moments in and around the contests.
Defenders Merrett (17 possessions), Andrews (11 disposals and a game-high 8 marks) and Darcy Gardiner never stopped trying and had some wins against the flow of Inside 50s which the Bulldogs dominated 71-31.
Cutler and Christensen will be assessed by Lions medical staff in coming days
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.6 9.8 13.11 17.18 (120)
BRISBANE LIONS 2.1 4.4 7.5 10.7 (67)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Bontempelli 2, Dahlhaus 2, McLean 2, Liberatore 2, Dickson 2, Campbell, Jong, Wallis, Roughead
Brisbane Lions: Lester 2, Zorko 2, Rockliff, Hanley, Schache, Rich, Walker, Bewick
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Stevens, Wallis, Boyd, Dahlhaus, McLean, Hunter, Stringer
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Rockliff, Robinson, Hanley, Martin, Bastinac
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Suckling (right knee)
Brisbane Lions: Cutler (suspected dislocated elbow), Christensen (suspected concussion)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Brown, Pannell
Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium
