In the short term, the Bulldogs will play host to fourth-ranked Minnesota this weekend.
It was an ominous start, and despite Franklin booting the opening goal of the term, the Bulldogs had the ascendancy.
But in the final term, the Bulldogs surged when it mattered most to grow their Etihad Stadium winning streak to nine matches.
The Lions hit back with six straight majors, at one stage boasting 43 second term disposals to Bulldogs' eight, to enjoy an 11-point lead before the visitors wrestled away an 11.2 (68) to 8.12 (60) halftime buffer.
The Crows briefly wrested the momentum early in the second term, but the Bulldogs didn't flinch and pushed their lead out to 47 points before Adelaide kicked two goals in the shadows of halftime to cut the deficit to 35 points at the main break.
Earlier this season, the Saints overcame a 55-point deficit during the third term to overwhelm the Western Bulldogs.
But some analysts worry that Mr. Cameron's desire to keep true to the spirit of the stubbornly independent British bulldog will, over the long term, harm Britain.
In a low-scoring contest, the Bulldogs kicked clear in the third term to win 12.13 (85) to 9.12 (66) in front of almost 50,000 people.
The Mississippi team was named the Maroons, an old Southern term for runaway slaves, which eventually gave way to Bulldogs.
But some analysts nonetheless worry that Mr. Cameron's desire to espouse the stubbornly independent British bulldog could harm the City over the long term.
