THE Western Bulldogs have steamrolled a hapless St Kilda by 111 points, charging into top spot on the AFL ladder.
After a cagey start, a breathtaking seven-goal second quarter set the Bulldogs on their way and they never looked back, prevailing 21.18 (144) to 5.3 (33) on Saturday night.
But the victory was soured by a second-quarter ankle injury to Adam Treloar – who attempted to play on but was substituted for Lewis Young shortly before half-time – and a third-quarter head knock to Anthony Scott.
Running defender Bailey Dale continued his stunning form off half-back with 33 disposals and two goals while Jack Macrae (41 touches), Tom Liberatore (31 disposals) and Marcus Bontempelli (four goals and 26 touches) were typically influential.
There were cheers around Marvel Stadium pre-game as Adelaide handed Melbourne their first defeat of the season – putting the Dogs in prime position to leapfrog the Demons – their next opponent – into top spot on percentage.
The Bulldogs booted three goals to two in the first term – when St Kilda were left to rue their wastefulness including ugly set shots off the side of the boot from Shaun McKernan and Ryan Byrnes.
Jack Billings looked to have sparked the Saints late when he intercepted Bailey Smith’s handball and dribbled home a delightful finish.
Instead, the Bulldogs kicked the next seven goals to build an unassailable lead over the listless Saints, with Dale recording 20 disposals, 528 metres gained and two goals in the first half alone.
Lachie Hunter converted from close range via a contentious 50-metre penalty just before the break, while Cody Weightman struck from a free kick early in the second term.
Then, Bontempelli steered through a delightful goal on the run before back-to- back goals from former Saint Josh Bruce set the Bulldogs on their merry way as they powered out to a 51-point half-time lead.
The Saints booted the first goal of the third term – then collapsed.
Aaron Naughton booted five majors across the final two quarters as the Bulldogs piled on 11 consecutive goals to turn the thrashing into a humiliation.
(C) AAP 2021
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: A Naughton 5 M Bontempelli 4 J Bruce 3 B Dale 2 C Weightman 2 J Johannissen L Hunter M Hannan R Smith T Liberatore. St Kilda: T Membrey 2 D Butler J Billings S McKernan.
Umpires: Robert Findlay, Brett Rosebury, Andrew Stephens.
Venue: Marvel Stadium.
