A six-goal haul from a rejuvenated Liam Picken has seen the Western Bulldogs record a 54-point win over Gold Coast at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns.

The Dogs' finals hopes would have been in severe jeopardy if they'd lost, and they were challenged by the SUNS, particularly in the third quarter, as Rodney Eade's men got the margin inside a goal.

However, with Tom Lynch (one goal) struggling again, Gold Coast had little to kick to up forward, while the Dogs had the best sharpshooter on the ground in Picken.

His six-goal game was the best haul by any player in Cairns, as his team won 16.14 (110) to 8.8 (56).

However, the reigning premiers suffered a serious injury blow, with veteran defender Dale Morris coming off in the second quarter with a suspected broken right forearm.

The Bulldogs led by eight points at the first change after kicking into a strong breeze and then used it to their advantage in the second term to increase the margin to 20 points at half-time.

But the SUNS, who were without midfield stars Gary Ablett (hamstring) and Jarryd Lyons (ankle) and lost key defender Rory Thompson just before the match, would not go away.

They kicked four of the next five goals - two of them from gun rookie Ben Ainsworth - to close within one point.

But that was as close as they got.

Picken's fifth goal reversed the momentum before the Bulldogs put the game to bed with another seven unanswered goals to delight the crowd of 9,364.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     4.4   7.6    10.9   16.14 (110)
GOLD COAST                   3.2    4.4    8.7    8.8 (56)
Western Bulldogs: Picken 6, Dale 3, Dahlhaus 2, Redpath, Liberatore, Roughead, Murphy, Wallis
Gold Coast: Ainsworth 2, Martin 2, Swallow, Wright, Lynch, Hall

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Picken, McLean, Dahlhaus, Hunter, Wallis
Gold Coast: Fiorini, Martin, Lynch, Hall

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Morris (broken arm)
Gold Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hayden Gavine, Chris Kamolins, Nathan Williamson

Official crowd: 9,364 at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns