The Western Bulldogs extended their winning start to the AFL season by cruising to a 47-point victory over Richmond at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Despite being kept goalless in the first quarter, the Bulldogs had enough improvement in them to overturn a tricky deficit and win 16.14 (110) to 8.15 (63) before a crowd of 46,261.

Jason Akermanis booted three goals in the last quarter to finish with four, Lindsay Gilbee capped a good day with a long goal on the run, and Shaun Higgins (two goals) played well across half-forward.

The Bulldogs joined St Kilda and Geelong as the teams to have won all three matches, while Richmond remain winless, alongside Melbourne and Fremantle.

The Tigers began well enough, by clogging up the Bulldogs' space and playing quick, direct football which yielded three goals in the first term and a 16-point lead by the first change.

But the Bulldogs whittled back the deficit through goals to Daniel Giansiracusa and Higgins and grabbed the lead through Dale Morris, who marked Higgins' centred kick.

The Doggies added six goals to one in the second quarter and four to three in the third, although they could not quite put Richmond away because of inaccurate finishing.

But Akermanis posted the first three goals of the last term, all inside six minutes, to end the contest, and the Dogs extended their lead with five goals to one in the final term.

The Bulldogs' other good players included fullback Brian Lake, midfielder Daniel Cross and Josh Hill, whose marking and mobility made him dangerous across the ground.

Midfielder Nathan Foley was Richmond's stand-out, but the Tigers' skill level fell away badly after quarter-time.

Captain Chris Newman had a great first half but was quiet in the second, Nathan Brown improved in the second half when shifted forward, defender Luke McGuane did well and Matthew Richardson contested well as a winger before he was sent forward.

In the one heated moment of the match, Richmond's Brett Deledio lashed out at Bulldog Liam Picken, who collected his opponent high trying to spoil.

The scuffle quickly became a melee and Deledio left the ground with a cut over his left eye.

The Tigers were awarded a 50-metre penalty after the incident and Brown's kick found McGuane, but he missed the chance to extend his side's lead.

The Bulldogs took the lead minutes later.

The Bulldogs confirmed Picken was reported for striking Deledio.

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