THE WESTERN Bulldogs defeated Port Adelaide by 90 points in windy and cold conditions at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs mastered the swirly breeze far better than their interstate opponents, with the Dogs' seven-goal-to-two third quarter into the wind highlighting their dominance of the game.
The Power never really threatened at any stage with the Bulldogs winning 20.11 (131) to 5.11 (41) in front of a crowd of 4,814.
Key forward Aaron Naughton stood tall with an equal game-high three goals and seven marks. Naughton was joined by Tim English, who pushed forward from the ruck to hit the scoreboard with three of his own and Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli (three goals, 23 disposals).
The Dogs had 11 individual goalkickers and notched their highest score of the season in the comprehensive victory.
Zak Butters (24 disposals, six clearances) and Connor Rozee (29 disposals, 577m gained) toiled hard for the Power on a day where highlights were few and far between for Port Adelaide.
Two contentious calls early went to score review, with Willie Rioli's snap on goal within the first minute of the game originally called touched by the field umpire before being overturned.
The umpires again went upstairs to confirm whether a mark on the goalline to Bulldogs utility Buku Khamis was legitimate. It was, and Khamis converted truly.
The Power initially dominated in the middle, leading clearances 10-0 to start the match, with Butters leading the way with four of his own to provide his forwards with ample opportunity in front of goal.
Rioli kicked two majors for the quarter, while at the other end Khamis and in-form sharpshooter Rhylee West made it two goals apiece at quarter-time.
A goal from the boundary to Ed Richards started the scoring for the second term and put the Dogs in front for the first time.
The midfielder's goal sparked a run of five unanswered majors for the Dogs, which included one to defender Luke Cleary who kicked the first of his career.
The Power's attempts to get the ball forward were quickly thwarted by Bulldogs defenders James O'Donnell and Rory Lobb (both eight intercept possessions), who owned the ball when it got to the centre of the ground.
Their intercepts, with the assistance of excellent ball users Jason Johannisen (five inside 50s, seven score involvements) and Bailey Dale (31 disposals), continually sent the ball back into the Dogs' forward line.
An end-to-end goal to Naughton made it six goals for the quarter and the Dogs went into the main break with a 26-point lead.
The Power had the wind to start the second half, but it seemed to have no impact at all. The Dogs scored the first two of the second half through English and Richards to extend the lead to 38 points.
Port Adelaide got on the board when spearhead Mitch Georgiades goaled, and milestone man Sam Powell-Pepper, playing his 150th game, also scored to give Power fans a glimmer of hope.
But as soon as the Power lifted, the Dogs went up a gear led by skipper Bontempelli.
Bontempelli kicked two goals in quick succession, making it look effortless despite the testing conditions.
The bite had well and truly come out of the game in the final term when the Dogs continued to add to their tally.
Bontempelli kicked his third, as did English among a five-goal-to-none final term for the winners.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 8.3 15.6 20.11 (131)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.4 3.7 5.8 5.11 (41)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, English 3, Bontempelli 3, Khamis 2, Richards 2, West 2, Sanders, Cleary, Freijah, McNeil, Treloar
Port Adelaide: Rioli 2, Sweet, Georgiades, Powell-Pepper
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Dale, English, Naughton, O’Donnell, Bontempelli
Port Adelaide: Rozee, Butters, Horne-Francis, Sweet
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jedd Busslinger (replaced Sam Davidson in the fourth quarter)
Port Adelaide: Jeremy Finlayson (replaced Joe Berry at half-time)
Crowd: 4,814 at Mars Stadium
