Prime Minister Julia Gillard would love Labor's election campaign to follow how the game went on Sunday for her AFL team.

Ms Gillard, the Western Bulldogs' No.1 ticketholder, was at Etihad Stadium on Sunday to watch them smash North Melbourne by 71 points.

Like Labor in the national campaign, the Bulldogs started as favourites against North and were challenged early in the contest

And just as Labor is struggling at the moment with damaging leaks and a determined opposition, the Bulldogs could not shake off the spirited Kangaroos and were well off their best form.

But after "bakes" at quarter-time and halftime from coach Rodney Eade, they finally broke clear in the second half to win 22.11 (143) to 10.12 (72).

The PM was in the team circle post-match to sing the club song, a week after their extra-large huddle to celebrate the massive win over Fremantle.

"I have no issues with that - she missed last week, so she asked if she could do it this week," Eade joked.

But there was little that amused Eade in the first half.

Asked about his animated address to the team at quarter-time, he replied: "I was even more animated at half-time.

"They just needed a wake-up call, that that's not acceptable in the way we play, even though North were playing well."

Overall, Eade was pleased with the performance, saying they definitely lifted their workrate after halftime.

Eventually, the pressure told and the Bulldogs kicked nine goals to two in the final term.

"It was pleasing that we were challenged fairly heavily and even though we weren't playing well and there are some parts of the game that were disappointing, we hung in there pretty well," Eade said.

"To be able to kick away showed a fairly good level of professionalism and a fair bit of grunt.

"From that aspect, it was certainly very rewarding."

Bulldogs key forward Barry Hall was best afield with seven goals, putting him level with Richmond's Jack Riewoldt in the Coleman Meal.

Hall could have even put himself ahead in the goal-kicking race, with two other shots hitting the post.

He had another entertaining duel with Kangaroos full-back Scott Thompson, whom Hall put in a headlock during the team's round-nine clash.

There was plenty of niggle, with Thompson's team-mate Michael Firrito also involved, but the Bulldogs key forward had the last laugh.

The Kangaroos remain only one game outside the top eight, but their poor percentage took another hit and they face another big game next week when they host Fremantle.

"To get overwhelmed and overrun like that was really disappointing, guys just got taught a real lesson in terms of workrate," said North coach Brad Scott.

"The end result ... was really reflective of probably the last 40 minutes of footy.

"I said to the guys, the game goes for 120 minutes, not 80.

"It starts to become make-or-break next week - we've got to start playing footy that's good enough to make it in September, otherwise it will all slip away from us."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP