Taylor Smith has stepped up after the late scratching of Brisbane Lions spearhead Dakota Davidson, booting a career-high four goals in a 47-point defeat of Western Bulldogs that left coach Craig Starcevich wanting more.
The former hurdler and heptathlete was a consistent marking threat and reliable kick as the Lions staved off an improved Bulldogs 11.15 (81) to 5.4 (34) on Wednesday.
Smith, who kicked three goals last week, set a new mark on a night when they lost long-time key forward Davidson (illness) just minutes before the first bounce at Brighton Homes Arena.
The result improved the defending champions to 3-1 ahead of a clash with West Coast on Sunday in Perth, while the Bulldogs also play on Sunday against Collingwood.
But Starcevich, having watched his side open the season with a one-sided loss to North Melbourne, was frustrated by their drop in intensity after half-time and some skill errors that contributed to the Bulldogs' improved fortunes.
"Parts of that won't stack up against good sides," the coach said.
"However, we calm down a bit and look at how we play; it leaves us exposed a bit and I would rather play expansive, exciting quick-moving footy than slow, skinny corridor where no-one scores.
"That's just us and it leaves us open a bit and we've still had 26 scoring shots to eight."
The winless Bulldogs had mustered just 15 points across 63 and 40-point losses to begin the season, before a 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) loss to the much-improved Eagles last week.
There were ominous signs after one quarter, the Lions scoring 22 unanswered points on the back of a lop-sided 17-1 inside 50 count.
Smith set the tone with a strong grab and precise kick before Belle Dawes burst out of a pack and got the perfect bounce from her long-range snap.
The Lions were humming until the Bulldogs snuck a goal before half-time.
The hosts then became wasteful after the break, kicking eight behinds as both teams managed two majors for the term.
They were also guilty of some poor options out of defence, the Bulldogs building confidence and kicking the first two goals of the final term.
Smith's fourth steadied the ship before Eleanor Hartill narrowly avoided being run down to register her first AFLW goal.
Luka Yoshida-Martin, Davidson's late replacement, then completed the night with a goal in her first game since an anterior cruciate ligament tear last year.
Ally Anderson led Brisbane with 25 touches while Sophie Conway (two goals, 22 disposals) gained a staggering 633 metres, almost twice as many as any other player.
Sarah Hartwig kicked 2.2 for the Bulldogs while Lauren Ahrens and Isabelle Pritchard both had 19 disposals for the visitors.
"There's some little wins along the way ... they're finally starting to get some nourishment for effort," Bulldogs coach Tammy Hyett said.
"Their belief is growing ... it's going to take time but today was a real glimpse for them."
Starcevich said Davidson would travel to Perth with the team on Thursday and was highly likely to play.
