The cavalry is returning for the Western Bulldogs - and just in time.

Coach Rodney Eade admitted to some worrying signs in his team after the early premiership fancies let a 30-point lead slip to go down by 22 to the undefeated Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

And one of them may well have been controversial forward Barry Hall's quarter-time swipe at Lions defender Daniel Merrett which could come under scrutiny.

Eade confirmed Jason Akermanis and Brad Johnson would return for their next clash against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

It at least provided some comfort for Eade after watching the Bulldogs (2-2 record) have their two-game winning run snapped.

"Certainly there's some worrying signs there for maybe a bit of the team but certainly some individuals," Eade said.

"It was across the board, it was a mixture of experienced players and some younger players as well.

"Maybe we've just got to give it a jolt a bit and we've got to find some people who are just going to work consistently.

"But there will be a few blokes back next week so we're going to have to make some changes anyway to fit those guys in."

One positive for Eade was Hall's dominance of the first half.

He kicked four goals to set up a 24-point lead at the main break.

Yet Hall still lost his cool on the quarter-time siren, appearing to graze Merrett's face with a quick left jab as they jostled.

The red mist threatened to descend again for Hall in the third term when he lashed out wildly twice on opponents without making significant contact.

It was a surprising reaction considering Hall's history - and Saturday night's significance.

Hall was taking the field against Brent Staker for the first time since his infamous 2008 punch on the then-West Coast defender.

Touted as flag contenders ahead of the match, the Bulldogs looked positively mortal against the Lions who beat their foes in inside 50s (72 to 39), marks (101 to 73) and disposals (382 to 341).

Only the Lions' inaccuracy - 23 behinds to 13 goals - kept the Dogs in the game.

"I think the scoreline flattered us," Eade said.

"It could have been close to a 10-goal loss, to be honest.

"We just weren't able to generate enough run and when we were able to do that, we just turned it over.

"We hung in there pretty well considering, but the way it was headed, the dam wall was always going to break at some stage."

The Bulldogs' Tom Williams was stretchered off early in the third quarter after a heavy knock to the head, but later returned to the field.

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