The Western Bulldogs have recorded their third straight loss, a 24-point defeat against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

The Bulldogs have come up empty-handed from a mid-season stretch against three of the competition’s 2020 premiership chances – Richmond, Port Adelaide and Brisbane.

On Saturday night, a period of dominance from the Lions late in the second quarter set up a match-winning lead, as it did in the third quarter of the previous match against the Power.

The Bulldogs fought the game out well, outscoring the Lions in the second half, but they never got close enough to seriously challenge for victory.

07:39

Match Highlights | Brisbane v Western Bulldogs

Replay the key moments from the Western Bulldogs' Round 11 clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Eric Hipwood booted five goals for the winners, who dominated the clearance battle for large periods of the match.

Jack Macrae’s ball-winning purple patch continued, with the hard-working midfielder collecting a game-high 40 disposals and delivering the ball inside 50 on seven occasions.

It was the ninth time in his career Macrae has recorded 40 or more disposals, a feat even more meritorious against the Lions given the shortened AFL game time in 2020.

00:24

Naughton clunks pack mark in return

In his first game in more than a month after being out with an ankle injury, Aaron Naughton takes a great grab

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli (30 possessions, six clearances and five inside 50s) did his best to drag the Bulldogs back into the contest, while Easton Wood kept the dangerous Charlie Cameron goalless.

Mitch Wallis booted three goals for the third time this season, to take his tally to 16 goals for the year.

In the end, it was the clearance work of the Lions’ midfielders in the all-important middle section of the game which was the difference, with Lachie Neale (36 disposals), Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons combining for 29 clearances.

00:38

Wallis back-to-back goals gets Dogs off to a flyer

Mitch Wallis converts well to get the Western Bulldogs going early

After an even start to the game, back-to-back majors from the Bulldogs at the start of the second term saw them hit the lead, but a Hugh McCluggage goal at the 16-minute mark sparked a run of six straight goals for the home side.

The Dogs threatened to claw back the deficit a few times in the second half, but Brisbane kept them at arm’s length to maintain their spot in the top four.

The Bulldogs have an eight-day break to prepare for their next challenge, against the Adelaide Crows next Sunday at Metricon Stadium.



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    Beveridge | 'There's not much wiggle room now'

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    Replay the key moments from the Western Bulldogs' Round 11 clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

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  • 00:24

    Naughton clunks pack mark in return

    In his first game in more than a month after being out with an ankle injury, Aaron Naughton takes a great grab

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  • 00:38

    Wallis back-to-back goals gets Dogs off to a flyer

    Mitch Wallis converts well to get the Western Bulldogs going early

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MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions                  3.4          9.8          13.10     14.12 (96)
Western Bulldogs            3.1          5.2          8.2          11.6 (72)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions:  Hipwood 5, Ah Chee 2, McCluggage 2, Bailey 2, McStay, Neale, Robinson
Western Bulldogs:  Wallis 3, Lloyd 2, Macrae, Lipinski, Bontempelli, Bruce, Dale, Naughton 

BEST
Brisbane: Neale, Zorko, Hipwood, Lyons, Bailey, McCluggage
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Wallis, Daniel, Williams

INJURIES
Brisbane: Cameron (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

VOTE NOW FOR YOUR MACCA'S MVP | Who was the Bulldogs' best on ground? Cast your vote for a chance to WIN a $20 McCafe Visa Card.

AFL Round 11 | Brisbane v Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs headed to the Gabba to take on the top-four Lions to kick-off Round 11 under the Saturday night lights, with Aaron Naughton returning to the line-up from injury. Photos: AFL Photos.
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