A hot-start has set the tone for the Western Bulldogs' 68-point win over struggling North Melbourne in their Good Friday AFL clash at Marvel Stadium.
The game was effectively over at quarter time after the Bulldogs had piled on eight goals to one to lead the shell-shocked Kangaroos by 45 points.
North were embarrassed by 128 points in the corresponding match last year and supporters feared another crushing blowout defeat in the marquee game.
The Kangaroos fought their way back into the game with a five-goal-to-two second term, sparking the pro-North crowd into delirium.
But the early damage proved insurmountable for North as last year's beaten grand finalists improved their record to 2-3 by winning 21.13 (139) to 11.5 (71).
Bulldogs star Bailey Smith continued his prolific start to 2022, gathering 22 first-half possessions on his way to a career-high 43 as he capitalises on a matchwinning finals series last year.
Livewire Cody Weightman did his best work early, booting four first-quarter goals as his feats immediately brought back memories of Josh Bruce's 10-goal haul against the Kangaroos last year.
Weightman slotted his fifth late in the contest for the biggest haul of his 24-game career.
Key forward Aaron Naughton made up for a frustrating and inaccurate start to the season by finishing with 5.3 in a much-needed confidence boost.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli was used in a deep forward role and the move reaped dividends with three goals, including two in the first term.
Jy Simpkin, in his 100th AFL game, was clearly the Kangaroos' best player as the improving midfielder racked up 27 possessions.
Both teams lost players to injury, with North speedster Aaron Hall (hamstring) and Bulldogs youngster Riley Garcia (knee) subbed out at halftime, while the Kangaroos' Jack Mahony (ankle) sat out the final 10 minutes.
After a sluggish start to the season, the Bulldogs now have a chance to build as they host struggling Adelaide in Ballarat next weekend before more winnable games against Essendon and Port Adelaide.
North, who have slumped to 1-4, will host Geelong in Hobart in round six.
