AFL 2021 round 10: Western Bulldogs v St Kilda Saints – live!
St Kilda #StKilda
8.24am EDT 08:24
Summary 
On the day that Melbourne’s winning streak came to an end this was Western Bulldogs’ chance to make a statement and they did it emphatically, pulverising St Kilda by 111 points in a performance that should underline their claims to premiership favouritism.
It was one-way traffic after a fairly even opening term, with the Bulldogs dominating around the stoppages, winning clearance after clearance and cashing in on incessant entries into their forward 50. Aaron Naughton had a field day, kicking five goals, as did Marcus Bontempelli with four. But the grunt work was done up field, with Jack Macrae, Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore and Bailey Smith winning plenty of ball. Adam Treloar would likely have joined in on the fun but for injuring his ankle in the second term and taking no further part.
Treloar’s injury was the only low point on a very high night for the Bulldogs, who have now won two games by more than 100 points in the same season for the first time in their history. And it is only round 10. With the Demons losing to Adelaide, the Bulldogs are now on top of the ladder thanks to this percentage-swelling victory.
The Dogs face Melbourne on Friday night at Marvel in what will be billed as match of the season. It will be big, but there should be no doubt which team are the overwhelming favourites. On today’s evidence, Western Bulldogs are the best team in the competition.
8.04am EDT 08:04
FT: Western Bulldogs 21-18 (144) beat St Kilda 5-3 (33)
The Bulldogs rocket to the top of the ladder with a crushing win that sends a statement to the entire league. They are without doubt the team to beat.
Updated at 8.20am EDT
8.02am EDT 08:02
Q4: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-18 (144) vs St Kilda 5-3 (33) Naughton again but he fluffed his chance to make it six for the night, missing to the right. Last rites now being read. This has been a bloodbath.
8.00am EDT 08:00
Q4: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-17 (143) vs St Kilda 5-3 (33) Goal! A little something to ease the pain for St Kilda as Butler showcases his nous around goal to break a run of 11 straight from the Dogs.
7.58am EDT 07:58
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-17 (143) vs St Kilda 4-3 (27) Weightman lays off to Sweet but the big man can’t finish the job from just inside 50.
7.55am EDT 07:55
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-16 (142) vs St Kilda 4-3 (27) King (yes, he is out there) takes a mark just outside 50 but his shot fades to the right. Not a great night for the youngster but he is in good company.
7.53am EDT 07:53
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-16 (142) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Delightfully acrobatic mark by The Bont but he (bizarrely) can’t convert with his set shot from right in front as he sends the footy crashing onto the left post. Still think he’s only part human.
7.51am EDT 07:51
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 21-15 (141) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Five for Naughton. He’s been a menace inside 50 tonight and again he leads strongly, marks strongly and yet again kicks truly. The Saints are now outright uncompetitive.
7.50am EDT 07:50
Q4: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 20-15 (135) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Well, maybe only part human. Bontempelli gets onto his preferred left foot and splits the bog sticks from a set shot to make it four for the night.
7.48am EDT 07:48
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 19-15 (128) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Membrey has a chance to limit the embarrassment but not only is he off line, he falls short from what looked a kickable range. At the other end, The Bont kicks on the run and misses with his right boot. So he is human, eh?!
7.45am EDT 07:45
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 19-14 (128) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Another one for the Dogs if you don’t mind. This time JJ fills his boots from range and though there’s deliberation over whether the ball was touched before it crossed the line, it wasn’t.
7.43am EDT 07:43
Q4: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 18-13 (121) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! The Saints scramble the ball inside 50 but the Dogs rebound with deadly intent, slingshotting to the other end to set up a long ball over the top to Bruce. So very easy.
Updated at 7.44am EDT
7.38am EDT 07:38
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 17-13 (115) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! That’s seven straight for the Dogs as Hannan dribbles one through as easy as you like. Not stopping indeed. The Dogs can smell blood.
7.37am EDT 07:37
Q4: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 16-13 (109) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Naughton is flying at everything and so nearly pulls down another mark. But the Saints defence does just enough to keep him at bay. The game might be over but the Dogs are not stopping.
7.35am EDT 07:35
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 16-13 (109) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Naughton again. That’s four for the Dogs forward – and the past three of the entire game – after he presents nicely deep inside 50 and converts.
7.26am EDT 07:26
3QT: Western Bulldogs 15-13 (103) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26)
More of the same from the Bulldogs and this is now officially a procession. The only thing up for grabs now is a second 100-plus point win for the first time in Bulldogs history.
7.25am EDT 07:25
Q3: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 15-13 (103) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) The Saints conjure a handpass chain but the release is snapped up by Duryea, who drops back into the hole and takes an uncontested chest mark. Not much by way of method any more from the Saints.
7.22am EDT 07:22
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 15-13 (103) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Geary takes Hunter high in the middle of the ground and from there the Dogs are away, working the ball forward with speed as Naughton plays in front and wins the free kick for a jumper tug. Another six-pointer. Ho-hum. Shelling peas.
7.16am EDT 07:16
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 14-13 (97) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! They’re just handing it around here. Naughton finds a gaping leading lane, gets the pass flush on his chest, and it’s another major for the Dogs. Mercy rule?
7.15am EDT 07:15
Q3: 7 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 13-13 (91) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! It’s on. Weightman is awarded a free for a push in the back and he lets Clark know about it. There’s some subsequent afters and Weightman really milks it, gaining a 50-metre penalty and kicking another goal for the runaway Dogs.
7.12am EDT 07:12
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 12-13 (85) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) Goal! Meanwhile, at the other end, class is on display as The Bont waits on the outside, receives and kicks truly on the run from just inside 50. Yep, pure class.
7.10am EDT 07:10
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 11-12 (78) vs St Kilda 4-2 (26) McKernan looks like having a go with his set shot from close to the boundary but the Dogs are napping and he lays off to Geary, who alas can’t finish the job. A behind only.
7.08am EDT 07:08
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 11-12 (78) vs St Kilda 4-1 (25) Duryea, Keath and Hunter fluff around with the ball deep in defence – for once, some indecision on the part of the Doggies – but the Saints can’t capitalise and it’s left to Bailey Smith (who is fast becoming one of my favourite players) to show some composure and work the ball out of defence.
7.04am EDT 07:04
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 11-12 (78) vs St Kilda 4-1 (25) Duryea does the donkey work in what should be a goal, but Naughton can do no more with his set shot than cannon it into the post from close range. There have been some remarkably easy shots missed tonight. Young then gets involved for the Dogs. He’s on for Treloar, who is done for the night.
7.00am EDT 07:00
Q3: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 11-10 (76) vs St Kilda 4-1 (25) Goal! Crisp entry inside-50 from Bailey Smith gives Naughton enough room to run onto the pass and the forward takes a smart mark on the lead before kicking truly in a quick response by the Dogs. They just won’t be denied. Such a hard team to beat.
6.58am EDT 06:58
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 10-10 (70) vs St Kilda 4-1 (25) Goal! Fast play out of defence from the Saints and finally the Dogs are under some pressure. McKernan is lurking for the ball over the top and he gets it before opening his team’s account for the second half. Good start by the Saints. Now more of the same is needed.
6.56am EDT 06:56
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 10-10 (70) vs St Kilda 3-1 (19) And we’re back. Let’s see what the Saints have got. The Doggies work the ball forward and Weightman attempts a ridiculously audacious mark in the goal square. Nothing doing, however.
6.40am EDT 06:40
HT: Western Bulldogs 10-10 (70) vs St Kilda 3-1 (19)
Class and dominance from the Bulldogs, who got in top in the contest in the second quarter and proceeded to put the Saints to the sword. The Dogs are now well on top in clearances and around stoppages and they are gaining due reward from repeat entries inside-50. Seven goals to one in the term was an accurate reflection of the state of play. It was ugly viewing from a St Kilda perspective. They have a mountain to climb.
Updated at 6.41am EDT
6.35am EDT 06:35
Q2: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 10-10 (70) vs St Kilda 3-1 (19) And now Naughton has a chance to pile more misery on the Saints but his shot after the siren misses to the left.
6.34am EDT 06:34
Q2: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 10-9 (69) vs St Kilda 3-1 (19) Goal! Pure class from The Bont, who reads the plays exquisitely over the pack to crumb the ball and dribble one through in the shadows of half-time.
6.32am EDT 06:32
Q2: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 9-9 (63) vs St Kilda 3-1 (19) Goal! Good commitment to the contest from Membrey, who backs into the pack and wins a free kick. It’s a gross understatement to say the Saints need him to kick this one and he does just that. It’s a long road back but it’s got to start somewhere, I guess.