Lindsay Gilbee would love pre-game plans to work out this badly all the time.

He was supposed to start in the Western Bulldogs forward line for Sunday's AFL match against Richmond and then go back into defence, his normal domain.

"The plan was just to start there, but I kicked the first two and got the message 'stay forward'," he said.

Gilbee ended up with three goals in the first term and six for the match - the most he has kicked in any game since his junior days.

The Bulldogs snapped a three-game losing streak, playing with much more flair and daring, to win by 35 points at Etihad Stadium, 23.15 (153) to 18.10 (118).

But Gilbee was in no doubt that when Barry Hall and Shaun Higgins returned from injury, probably next week, he would be playing down the other end of the ground.

"It was one of those days, wasn't it?

"It was certainly good to get on the scoreboard but it's going to be hard next week.

"We've got Hally and Higgo back so I might have to go back again.

"I'm pretty sure his (Hall's) spot is safe in the goalsquare next week."

Will Minson impressed as well with four goals, while Gilbee and coach Rodney Eade also praised Jarrad Grant (three goals) and Liam Jones (two).

"It was good to see Liam Jones today, who got some reward for his hard work over the last few weeks," Gilbee said.

"Jarrad Grant probably could've finished with four if he'd kicked those other ones.

"The good thing about today was that we had a real good spread."

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