It's a game the Western Bulldogs simply had to win.

And it might have taken them until deep in the last quarter to secure it, but secure the victory they did, running out 12.11 (83) to 8.13 (61) winners over St Kilda under the Marvel Stadium roof on Sunday afternoon.

Marcus Bontempelli (34 disposals, 13 clearances, one goal) was wilful, including a stunning roving goal in the second quarter to wow the crowd, while the return of Tom Liberatore (23 disposals, five clearances) was welcomed by the Dogs.

Will Lewis (two goals) proved an early wildcard, and Luke Kennedy bagged his first career AFL goal to get things off to a strong start, while Lachie McNeil (18 disposals, one goal) was everywhere early in the piece.

As Luke Beveridge is known to do, some little tactical surprises were thrown up throughout the match. Bailey Dale and Rhylee West shared a specific wing role, starting deep on the defensive corner of the square, they dropped into defence once the ball was thrown in the air to generate an extra behind the ball. This repeatedly allowed the Bulldogs to intercept attacking centre clearances from St Kilda, and generated a repelling kick.

Meanwhile, Bontempelli and Matt Kennedy offered ruck support to Tim English.

There was a sense that no side really took its opportunities when they were created, as the Dogs peppered the goals with little reward through the third term, the Saints having done the same across the first half.

The Bulldogs head into the bye with a 9-6 record, ahead of a round 17 clash with the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Bont, the ruck?

In recent weeks, Luke Beveridge has opted to use Tim English and Rory Lobb in the ruck, sharing duties and resting forward. On Sunday afternoon, however, Lobb played just 67 per cent of game time, with minimal time at stoppage, and midfielders Marcus Bontempelli and Matt Kennedy supported English in the ruck. It was a curious look from the Dogs – particularly with captain Bontempelli having carried injuries throughout the year – but a tactic evidently focused on minimising the dominance of St Kilda duo Rowan Marshall and Tom De Koning.

ST KILDA                          3.4    4.7    6.8   8.13 (61)
WESTERN BULLDOGS         3.2    7.5    8.10   12.11 (83)

GOALS 
St Kilda: De Koning, Sharman, Higgins, Wilson, Wanganeen-Milera, Lake, Garcia, Byrnes
Western Bulldogs: Lewis 2, Lobb 2, Naughton 2, L.Kennedy, Hynes, Bontempelli, M.Kennedy, McNeil, Jones

BEST 
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Silvagni, Windhager, Garcia, Wilkie, Hill
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, O'Donnell, Dale, Richards, Liberatore , Khamis

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Sinclair (right calf), De Koning (ribs), Marshall (left shoulder)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: 30,194 at Marvel Stadium