As the temperature climbed into the high 20s, the Bulldogs kicked 20.8 (128) to the Lions 8.10 (58) in their NAB Challenge clash.
The Bulldogs dominated a Lions side missing Jonathan Brown, Luke Power, Simon Black and Josh Drummond.
Daniel Rich was the Lions' best out of the midfield, while recruit Ryan Lester presented well up forward, but let himself down with his disposal, kicking 1.3.
Mitch Clark played mainly as a forward in a sign that he may be groomed for the role vacated by Brendan Fevola, but he was well beaten by Bulldog Tom Williams, who won plenty of contests and rebounded strongly.
Lions coach Michael Voss said he was planning to use Clark as a key forward with occasional bursts in the ruck as the Lions look to adjust to the new substitute rule.
"Hopefully he will be able to spend more time in that part of the ground. Everyone wants to play that extra runner don't they? But we'll see if we can get away with playing Mitch five minutes at a time in the ruck," Voss said.
"That's what the pre-season's for, being able to throw different ideas around and do different things to see what works and what doesn't work."
Matt Maguire and rookie Broc McCauley shared the ruck duties, with Voss saying after the match that Maguire was set to play the mobile backup ruckman role that is all the rage in modern day football.
Western Bulldogs 4.3 10.5 16.7 20.8 (128)
Brisbane Lions 2.2 4.5 5.7 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Hall 3, Higgins 2, Giansiracusa 2, Ward 2, Jones 2, Veszpremi 2, Moles 2, Griffen, Liberatore, Minson, Howard, Djerrkura
Brisbane Lions: McGrath 2, Clark 2, Banfield, Lester, Retzlaff, Rockliff
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Williams, Cross, Liberatore, Markovic, Higgins, Giansiracusa
Brisbane Lions: Rich, Banfield, Lester, McGrath, Retzlaff
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: Nil
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
