The Western Bulldogs brushed a late resurgence from Richmond aside to run out 57-point victors, 15.15 (105) to 7.6 (48), on Saturday evening under the Marvel Stadium roof.

Ed Richards (32 disposals, two goals, six clearances) was a standout for the Bulldogs, strong through the middle and then sliding forward to hit the scoreboard, and Joel Freijah finished with 23 disposals and five clearances.

Richmond captain Toby Nankervis (17 disposals, 34 hit-outs) was focused on bringing the physicality to his clash with Tim English (13, 27, one goal). Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were losing the clearance count 11-21 at half-time, but ultimately finished just two to the negative. Notably, centre stoppage was where the Tigers were especially vulnerable, as that metric landed at 10-15 by the final siren.

All that being said, there was a grit and determination about Richmond – what it lacked in connection going forward, it made up with pressure and work rate – and as a result it owned territory for large patches.

However, the Tigers were unable to turn that territory control into scores, and the Bulldogs torched them on turnover. With so much space in the front half, and speed in the legs of players like Arty Jones, Sam Davidson, and Cody Weightman meant they were able to get dangerous goal side.

Luke Trainor stood up in moments, standing up in tackles and flying for intercept marks, offering a physical presence in the absence of Noah Balta, and Tom Lynch enjoyed his first multiple goal haul since Round 11.

As it has done in recent weeks, Richmond came out for the final term full of vigour and ready to compete at a new level, and it did narrow the margin with consecutive goals for the first time all evening, but it just wasn't enough to run down the early good work of the Bulldogs. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.5   6.10   10.13   15.15 (105)
RICHMOND   2.3   2.3   5.5   7.6 (48)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: West 2, Weightman 2, Richards 2, Bontempelli 2, Naughton, Davidson, Croft, Dolan, Jones, Hynes, English
Richmond: Lynch 2, Lefau 2, Lalor, Mansell, Taranto

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bramble, Naughton, Sanders, Bontempelli
Richmond: Prestia, Taranto, Short, Nankervis, Lefau

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Crowd: 25,154 at Marvel Stadium