The Western Bulldogs have defeated a finals-bound St Kilda by 45 points at RSEA Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Dogs maintained cool, calm and collected on the 30-degree day, finishing their game 10.12 (72) to the Saints 4.3 (27).

Tam Hyett would be pleased with her Bulldogs’ response from last week, taking control of the game early and dominating the passage of play for the majority of the game with 121 uncontested possessions to the Saints’ 93.

In what was an impressively even performance from all the Dogs players, Sarah Poustie stood out with 19 disposals and six clearances to keep her side ahead, while Ellie Blackburn had 18 disposals, a game-high 632 metres gained and snagged a goal.

The Western Bulldogs capitalised on the undermanned Saints, raising their inside 50s from nine in the first quarter to 25 by half-time, and converting three crafty goals in the second term. They ultimately finished plus 23 to the Saints.

Serene Watson was doing her best to keep St Kilda in the game, notching up 24 disposals, 10 intercept possessions and 618 metres gained.  

Despite the Saints looking unmanned across the entire game, it was the Bulldogs who accidentally played one player down for part of the third quarter. Due to some confusion with their bench, the Dogs played a few minutes with just 15 players, leaving Ariana Clark to run free.  

But it was ultimately inconsequential, with a team effort producing eight individual goal scorers across the match and tying their season up nicely.

Although they’ve missed their shot at finals, Hyett says they’re now bolstered by today’s win against a top eight finishing Saints to bring into the off-season. 

“We just beat a final’s side, and that’s the baseline for us now,” Hyett said. 

“Knowing we are good enough, and now it’s actually making sure we do all the things right in the off-season that sets us up for a strong pre-season and then start the season well next year.” 

ST KILDA                        1.1    2.2    3.3     4.3 (27)

WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.2    4.4    6.8    10.11 (72) 

GOALS
St Kilda: Anderson 2, Guttridge, Amber Clarke, 
Western Bulldogs: McDonald 2, Berry 2, Woodley, Hartwig, Grigg, Blackburn, Ferres, Gavales, 
 
BEST
St Kilda: Watson, Smith, Lambert, Gee
Western Bulldogs:  Poustie, Gavals, Blackburn, Fitzgerald
 
INJURIES
St Kilda: Lambert(calf)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: Nic Barr, Paige Trudgeon – replaced by Nat Plane and Ari Clarke 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
 
Crowd: 2,863 at RSEA Park