The Western Bulldogs have taken home the chocolates in the Good Friday SuperClash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The Bulldogs were hot out of the blocks early, registering an eight-goal opening term - five of those coming before the Kangaroos could even get on the scoreboard.

Despite the early dominance, the second quarter saw the hosts respond with five of their own unanswered goals, swinging momentum in their favour while closing the gap to just 26 points at the main break. 

But the Bulldogs steadied, kicking 11 goals to the Kangaroos’ five in the second half to claim an 11.5 (71) to 21.13 (139) win.

It was a welcomed and much-improved performance in front of the big sticks, with quality entries inside 50 providing better opportunities to convert. 

Aaron Naughton (five goals, five marks) enjoyed a dominant display up forward, while Cody Weightman was electric with four first-quarter majors to finish with five himself.

Bailey Smith (43 disposals, seven marks, seven inside 50s) found plenty of the footy, while Jack Macrae (29, 10 clearances, nine inside 50s), Marcus Bontempelli (18, nine marks, three goals) and Adam Treloar (28, six marks) were impactful.

Bailey Dale and Taylor Duryea were admirable in defence, collecting 25 disposals each. 

Versatile defender Zaine Cordy was solid in his return from a concussion, spending some time forward and providing relief to Tim English in the ruck. 

The only sour note was losing Riley Garcia to injury, with Mitch Wallis activated as the medi-sub after half-time. 

The win moves the Bulldogs to 2-3 after five rounds, with a trip to Mars Stadium against Adelaide on Saturday 23 April their next challenge. 

NORTH MELBOURNE       1.0      6.2      8.4      11.5 (71)
WESTERN BULLDOGS      8.3    10.4     15.8     21.13 (139)

GOALS  
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Taylor 2, Ford, Powell, Stephenson, Xerri, Ziebell
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Weightman 5, Bontempelli 3, Scott 2, Cordy, English, Hunter, Macrae, Ugle-Hagan, Wallis

BEST   
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Larkin, Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, Horne-Francis, Scott
Western Bulldogs:  Smith, Naughton, Macrae, Dale, Liberatore, Duryea, Treloar, Weightman 

INJURIES  
North Melbourne: Aaron Hall (hamstring), Jack Mahony (ankle)
Western Bulldogs: Riley Garcia (knee)

SUBSTITUTES  
North Melbourne : Tom Powell, replaced Aaron Hall at half-time
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Wallis, replaced Riley Garcia at half-time