In an AFL season of lows, St Kilda have slumped to a new one, with the Western Bulldogs handing Alan Richardson’s side a 35-point defeat at Etihad Stadium.
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Final score
St Kilda Saints 9.14.68
Western Bulldogs 15.13.103
The St Kilda Saints take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, as both teams look to add some respectability to the conclusion of their respective seasons. Join us on The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:25pm AEST.
Though both sides have struggled for consistency and results throughout the 2018 season, the Saints will enter the fixture with a slightly better run of form; after a dominant win over Carlton, and a positive, if inaccurate, showing against the Giants last week.
By contrast, the Bulldogs, ravaged by injuries as they are, have been poor over the past month, losing their last four matches by an average of 53 points.
Coming into the game in good form is St Kilda small, Jade Gresham. Having found his goal-kicking boots in recent times, he has been turning out more complete round the ground performances, earning some contested ball, and adding some weight to the Saints’ stoppage set up.
In other positive news for the Saints, Nathan Freeman is finally set to make his AFL debut, after being drafted in 2013.
The midfielder has had tremendous trouble with hamstring injuries, and it will be a fantastic story for St Kilda fans, and football fans more broadly to see him run out on Saturday evening.
The Bulldogs have been further hampered by injury in the past week, with Marcus Adams re-joining an already lengthy injury list at the Western Oval.
The Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them this week but have demonstrated the talent that lies within their young stock of players; with the likes of Ed Richards, Bill Gowers and Pat Lipinski showing their wears over recent weeks.
Prediction
St Kilda seem to be finding their touch and will be too strong for an undermanned Bulldogs side.
St Kilda by 17 points.
Join us on The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:25pm AEST.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Well there you have it; an incredible turn around by the Western Bulldogs to overrun the Saints in a dominant second half. THough St Kilda were on top for the most part of the first and second quarters, the Dogs found their rhythm in the latter part of the first half, finding their run, pressure and intent. The third quarter was where the game was won, however. As the Dogs piled on 8 unanswered goals, 4 of which came from their skipper Marcus Bontempelli. They were irresistible in the premiership quarter, producing a performance reminiscent of their 2016 form. The likes of Bontempelli and Johannisen were crucial, as JJ picked up 42 touches, and the Bont racked up 22 to go with his 4 goals. For St Kilda, Seb Ross was impressive in the first half but didn't have enough mates in the second, as he finished the match with 40 touches and 3 goals. The Dogs were impressive tonight and owned the stoppages and were far more efficient going forward. This, combined with their often manic pressure and intent to go through the middle of the ground saw them too strong for the Saints. Next week, St Kilda face Essendon on a Friday night fixture, and the Dogs will take on North Melbourne. See you next week.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN The Bulldogs run out 35 point winners in a comprehensive performance. Match wrap up still to come...
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
JJ ticks over the big 40 touches
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL SCHACHE with a strong mark in the goal square and he makes no mistake.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL NEWNES runs into an open 50 and converts for the Saints' 9th goal of the evening, pulling the margin back to 30 points.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
No quick ball movement possible for the Saints at this stage as the Bulldogs continue to implement an effective defensive structure
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
BEHIND Gresham had a number of options and ended up going himself and missing
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
BEHIND Billings' snap is narrow and the Saints haven't really made the most of their run of play early in the last
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL score review controversy sees the decision overturned and the Saints get their first since the second quarter. They needed the first of the last to have any chance...
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
3 Quarter Time Wow. 8 Unanswered goals in that term sees the Bulldogs enter the final break with a 45 point lead. Bont with 4 in that quarter and he had plenty of mates. The dogs were manic in their pressure and intent around the ball; it all proved to be too much for the Saints who looked impotent. JJ up to 32 touches; his run off half back has been crucial in creating scoring chances from rebound 50's. St Kilda 51 Bulldogs 96
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL MAKE THAT A 73 POINT TURN AROUND. Hayden Crozier roosts one from outside the arc on the run to complete an incredible 3rd quarter.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL WAS THAT AN ACTION REPLAY? BONTEMPELLI bursts clear of the pack and snaps again. A 67 point turn around as the Bulldogs lead by 41 points.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL THE BONT WITH ANOTHER; receives a handball from the pack and snaps truly. The Bulldogs have 9 of the last 10 goals and extend their lead to 33 points, and nothing looks like changing.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
JJ up to 31 touches. Unstoppable at the moment.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
St Kilda's inefficiency going forward is what is hurting them at the moment; THough both teams have had 37 inside 50's, the DOgs have 12 marks to 5 inside 50, and their entries have been more dangerous and effective.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL Schache with another for the Dogs, as they continue to put on a clinic. A 50 point turn around, as the Bulldogs now lead by 25 points and don't look like slowing down. Dominating general play and looking dangerous going forward.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL THE BONT YET AGAIN! The Bulldogs too good in general play yet again; JJ with quick hands to his skipper who finishes the job from 50. Serious momentum swing from the early part of the second quarter to now, the Saints don't look like it.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
GOAL WALLIS again on the run from 45 meters puts the Dogs 13 points in front. Pace and pressure overwhelmed the Saints on that occasion.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
BEHIND Brad Lynch misses a set shot; that one would have hurt the Saints
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Poor entries from St Kilda in the last couple of minutes; they managed to lock the ball in their half but were too inefficient going forward there.