Led by a four-goal performance from captain Marcus Bontempelli, the Western Bulldogs ran rampant under the roof at Marvel Stadium to beat St Kilda by 111 points on Saturday night.
The Dogs reasserted themselves as premiership contenders, with swift ball movement and pressure leaving the Saints looking scrambling in the 21.18 (144) to 5.3 (33) rout.
The Saints’ goalkicking woes continued for a second week, with three shots on goal out on the full in the first quarter.
The Dogs piled on the goals in the second quarter, stretching the margin out to 51 points at half-time, before booting a further five goals in the third quarter to lead by 77 at the final change.
Ryan Byrnes, Jack Sinclair, Jack Steele and Tim Membrey were best on for St Kilda
But the Bulldogs’ midfield brigade was too powerful, with Jack Macrae racking up 41 disposals, while Bontempelli amassed 26 touches to go with his four goals.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.5 10.10 15.13 21.18 (144)
ST KILDA 2.0 3.1 4.2 5.3 (33)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Bontempelli 4, Bruce 3, Dale 2, Weightman 2, Hannan, Hunter, Johannisen, Liberatore, R.Smith
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Billings, Butler, McKernan
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Dale, Liberatore, Smith, Daniel, Naughton
St Kilda: Sinclair, Byrnes, Steele, Membrey
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Treloar (ankle), Scott (head knock)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Young (replaced Treloar in the second quarter)
St Kilda: Highmore (unused)
