A SIX-GOAL haul from Liam Picken has seen the Western Bulldogs record a comfortable 54-point win over Gold Coast at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns.
The Dogs were challenged by the Suns, particularly in the third quarter when Rodney Eade's men got the margin inside a goal, but they finished the game strongly.
Picken's six-goal game was the best haul by any player in Cairns, as his team won 16.14 (110) to 8.8 (56).
However, the Bulldogs suffered a serious injury blow, with veteran defender Dale Morris coming off in the second quarter with a broken right forearm.
The 34-year-old's wretched run with injury continued in the second quarter at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns when he fell awkwardly in a marking contest with Suns captain Tom Lynch.
His misfortune soured the Bulldogs' win, their first outside of Victoria this season and biggest against the Suns at Cazaly's Stadium.
It leaves the Western Bulldogs in 11th position, but they are now outside the top eight only on percentage.
The Bulldogs led by eight points at the first change after kicking into a strong breeze and then used it to their advantage in the second term to increase the margin to 20 points at half-time.
But the Suns, who were without midfield stars Gary Ablett (hamstring) and Jarryd Lyons (ankle) and lost key defender Rory Thompson just before the match, would not go away.
They kicked four of the next five goals - two of them from gun rookie Ben Ainsworth - to close within one point.
But that was as close as they got.
Picken's fifth goal reversed the momentum before the Bulldogs put the game to bed with another seven unanswered goals to delight the crowd of 9,364.
The Bulldogs have an eight-day break before fronting up to Etihad Stadium where they’ll take on an in-form Essendon, in a crucial clash for both clubs.
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The Bulldogs have an eight-day break before fronting up to Etihad Stadium where they’ll take on an in-form Essendon, in a crucial clash for both clubs.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.4 7.6 10.9 16.14 (110)
GOLD COAST 3.2 4.4 8.7 8.8 (56)
Western Bulldogs: Picken 6, Dale 3, Dahlhaus 2, Redpath, Liberatore, Roughead, Murphy, Wallis
Gold Coast: Ainsworth 2, Martin 2, Swallow, Wright, Lynch, Hall
Official crowd: 9,364 at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns
