THE WESTERN Bulldogs have kept their finals hopes alive with a percentage boosting 57-point win over Adelaide. 

Dogs forward Aaron Naughton recorded a career-best haul with six goals from his first six kicks in just his second game back from an ankle syndesmosis injury. 

>> WATCH THE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

With Josh Bruce managed for the round 12 clash, Naughton relished the additional space to lead into as the Dogs took home a commanding 16.15 (111) to 8.6 (54) win.

02:21

Straight-shooting Naughton hits Crows for six

Aaron Naughton was simply unstoppable, producing a wealth of strong marks and kicks in a wonderful six-goal performance

Marcus Bontempelli led the charge with 33 disposals, 12 clearances and two goals in an outstanding performance, as the Bulldogs midfield won the clearance count 44 to 19.

ENGLISH SCARE Dogs hopeful ruckman has avoided significant injury

Lachie Hunter racked up 29 disposals and a goal in his first game back after being unavailable for selection due to personal reasons. 

00:56

Happy Hunter after gut-running reward

Lachie Hunter grabs his jumper in delight after notching a superb goal on the run

Bailey Smith recorded a career-best 37 disposals and was the chief creator on the outside with an astonishing 811m gained. 

The Bulldogs started the game with a percentage of 89.9 and finished with 97.9, rising up to 10th on the ladder. 

DOGS DESTROY CROWS Full match coverage and stats

Adelaide had two runs of three consecutive goals, but it was the nine-straight goals the Bulldogs put past them in between those stints that cost them any hope of a win.  

The Bulldogs are set for a crucial clash against Melbourne next Saturday in a game that could shape the finals race, while the Crows will be up against it with the in-form Geelong a huge task next Sunday.  

00:30

Vicious Dogs eat up careless Crows

The Bulldogs pounce on some poor execution from the Crows and make them pay full price

Bontempelli electric from the start
The Crows sent defensive-minded midfielder Ben Keays to ball-magnet Jack Macrae from the first bounce, but it might have been the wrong call. The Bulldogs dominated the midfield, winning nine of the first 10 centre clearances. The skipper Marcus Bontempelli racked up 10 disposals, kicked a goal and managed six clearances of his own in the first term. Adelaide managed just five clearances as a team. 

Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a goal against the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos

Wood turns back the clock
The Bulldogs elected to go with a shorter backline with Zaine Cordy sidelined with a chest injury, which suited Easton Wood just fine. The 30-year-old stood out as an interceptor and took to the skies with a rebel Mark of the Year contender. The former captain put in one of his best games of the year with 13 disposals and showed he's got plenty left in the tank as he aims for a contract extension. 

00:24

Wood's wild MOTY contender wows everyone

Easton Wood grabs all the attention after a stunning speccy

Young trio show glimmers for the Crows
Matthew Nicks has worked to overhaul Adelaide's midfield and they were never a chance to match the star-studded Bulldog brigade. Having said that, third-gamer Harry Schoenberg (15 disposals) had his best outing yet, while the out-of-contract Myles Poholke (13 disposals) showed he deserves to play out the rest of the season. Andrew McPherson (eight disposals) was one of Adelaide's most composed players before injuring his hamstring before half-time.  

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:40

    Nicks: 'Our guys are trying'

    Matthew Nicks dismissed suggestions his players 'aren't trying', saying they're putting in the effort but simply getting outclassed by better sides

    AFL
  • 08:53

    Full post-match: Bulldogs

    Watch Western Bulldogs's press conference after round 12's match against Adelaide

    AFL
  • 02:21

    Straight-shooting Naughton hits Crows for six

    Aaron Naughton was simply unstoppable, producing a wealth of strong marks and kicks in a wonderful six-goal performance

    AFL
  • 07:41

    Highlights: Western Bulldogs v Adelaide

    The Bulldogs and Crows clash in round 12

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Naughton notches six after same amount of kicks

    Aaron Naughton can't be stopped, scoring his sixth goal of the game following a sensational mark

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Happy Hunter after gut-running reward

    Lachie Hunter grabs his jumper in delight after notching a superb goal on the run

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Wood's wild MOTY contender wows everyone

    Easton Wood grabs all the attention after a stunning speccy

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Bone-crunching tackle ends in 'Matrix-like' goal

    Adelaide conjure a sensational goal after a tenacious tackle from Shane McAdam and stellar finish from Brodie Smith

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Vicious Dogs eat up careless Crows

    The Bulldogs pounce on some poor execution from the Crows and make them pay full price

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Slippery Stengle turns Caleb Daniel inside out

    Adelaide livewire Tyson Stengle does brilliantly to evade crafty defender Caleb Daniel and finishes off his work with a lovely snap

    AFL

WESTERN BULLDOGS     6.3     8.8     12.12     16.15     (111)
ADELAIDE                       4.1     5.3     5.5     8.6     (54) 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 6, Bontempelli 2, Cavarra 2, Dale, Lloyd, Hunter, Dunkley, McLean, English
Adelaide: Stengle, Walker, Himmelberg, Murphy, Smith, Laird, Mackay, M.Crouch

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Naughton, Bontempelli, B.Smith, Hunter, Liberatore, Daniel
Adelaide: O'Brien, M.Crouch, Keays, Smith, Laird, Poholke 

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: English (ankle)
Adelaide: McPherson (hamstring)

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