THE WESTERN Bulldogs outclassed a gallant Brisbane Lions side by 53 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Exciting pup Jake Stringer booted three majors and Koby Stevens dominated as the Dogs kicked their highest score of the season and cruised to a 17.18 (120) to 10.7 (67) triumph, lifting them back into second spot on the ladder. 

But fears an injury to recruit Matt Suckling soured the victory, with Luke Beveridge's side still reeling from a season-ending knee injury to skipper Robert Murphy and a long-term hamstring suffered by Jason Johannisen. 

Meanwhile, the Lions could also pay a heavy price, with Tom Cutler (dislocated elbow) and Allen Christensen (concussion) spending most of the match on the sidelines.

But with the match in the bag with the Dogs leading by 34 points at half-time, Suckling didn't reappear for the second half.

The triumph continued the Dogs' love-affair with the fast track under the Etihad Stadium roof, where they've now won 13 of the past 14 matches.

The Bulldogs always looked set to race out of the blocks this season and they haven't disappointed with two more, albeit tougher, matches against North Melbourne and Adelaide to come before they have to leave home comforts.

While the Lions' effort couldn't be faulted coming off an uplifting Q-Clash victory, the visitors simply couldn't apply any scoreboard pressure after kicking the opening two majors of the match through Ryan Lester and Tom Rockliff.

Justin Leppitsch's side was intent on stifling the Dogs and looked dangerous early spreading on the rebound as the home side spurned some simple chances. 

The Dogs peppered the goals early and dominated inside 50s (20-5) in the opening term, however they booted six behinds in a row as the Lions absorbed the pressure and made them pay on the rebound.

But the spell was snapped when Luke Dahlhaus soccered from the goal square, and suddenly the home side came alive.

Stringer, who went goalless last week for the first time since round 13 last year, and Toby McLean, pushed the Dogs ahead by 11 points at the first change.

Under the sheer weight of ball going deep inside the Lions' defensive 50, the dam wall had to break – and it did.

It was almost all one-way traffic in the second stanza, with Marcus Bontempelli and Stringer – who bowled over three opponents before snapping a brilliant second goal - thriving on their side's midfield dominance.

But to the Lions' credit, they kept coming and avoided a blowout after trailing by 54 points in the third quarter. 

Koby Stevens (34 possessions) continued his purple patch of form for the Dogs, while Mitch Wallis (33, one goal), Jack Macrae (25), Lachie Hunter (32) and evergreen veteran Matthew Boyd (31) were also outstanding for the Dogs.

Sharpshooter Tory Dickson booted two majors on his return from injury, with McLean, Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore the other multiple goal kickers.

The Lions had just Dayne Zorko and Lester (two goals each) kick more than a solitary major, while Mitch Robinson (27 touches), Rockliff (26), Pearce Hanley (20) and key defender Daniel Merrett battled hard.

Tom Liberatore and Luke Dahlhaus celebrate a goal next to dejected Lion Tom Rockliff. Photo: AFL Media

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