Having originally been set down as a general bye the round 12 game between the two sides was moved forward enabling Newtown to cap off a weekend set aside for the club’s 50th anniversary.

With players missing due to the long weekend the Bulldogs were always facing a tough assignment against a Lions combination confident of gaining their second win in three appearances against the reigning premier this season.

Buoyed by the presence of Wayne Burnett, playing only his second game in five years, the Lions were nothing short of special at the start with youngster Michael McArthur having a huge impact on the game.

Playing up forward McArthur showed a touch of class kicking an impressive swag of six goals in the opening quarter and helping set up the Lions with an advantage that the Bulldogs could not overcome.

Even a best on ground effort from their big man Ryan Neill, starting up forward before moving onto the ball, could not lift the Bulldogs back into the game.

Damien Wood also tried his hardest to get the side to lift under pressure while Roger Parsons continues to improve at each outing for Esperance and played another important roll on the weekend.

Trevor Anderson and Brad Crough rounded off the Bulldogs’ better performers on the day.

But little could be taken away from Newtown-Condingup who secured their third win of the current season with Cameron Marshall proving the Lions’ best.

There was also a lot to like about the workload of Matthew Brenton while Zen Boydell handed in his best effort this year.

Jason McArthur was another to stand up when the pressure built, while younger brother Michael and Ben Edwards rounded off the top performances for the game.

There was also bad news for the Esperance reserves with the side forced to forfeit their game against the Lions due to lack of numbers.