The Western Bulldogs have smashed Brisbane in the second half to win their AFL clash at Etihad Stadium by 65 points.

Barry Hall kicked six goals and midfielder Matthew Boyd had 31 possessions in his 150th match as the Bulldogs won 17.19 (121) to 8.8 (56).

It was a badly-needed return to form for the Bulldogs, who had lost their previous two games, while the Lions drop further off the top-eight pace.

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown was a late withdrawal as he continues to battle groin trouble, while fellow key forward Brendan Fevola had an unhappy day.

Fevola only kicked two goals and looked out of sorts as Dale Morris played a superb game on him.

The one highlight of Fevola's game was an outstanding snapped goal at the start of the third term.

That brought the Lions to within 15 points early in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs then went up a gear and kicked six goals to lead by 50 points at the last change.

Brisbane did not kick another goal until 11 minutes into the final term, when Amon Buchanan kicked his third.

The Bulldogs started the match full of running and kicked five goals to one in the first quarter.

The game was on the verge of being over by halftime, but Brisbane tightened up at the stoppages and the Bulldogs' intensity dropped away.

After trailing by 31 points in the second quarter, the Lions kicked the last two goals of the half and were back in the match.

But five minutes after Fevola's booming goal from near the boundary, the Bulldogs clicked into gear.

Hall started the rampage with two successive goals and very quickly a close match became a cakewalk for the 'Dogs.

After winning their first four games of the season, Brisbane have lost seven of their last eight matches.

Bulldogs forward Robert Murphy gave his team a scare when he ran off with a slight limp in the third term, but he returned in the last quarter.

Murphy played much of the game in defence and was outstanding in his return from knee surgery.

Simon Black and Tom Rockliff were high among Brisbane's best.

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