GALLANT performances from Brad Johnson and Scott West failed to save the Western Bulldogs from a 50-point loss to St Kilda at Telstra Dome.

Johnson booted three goals in a lone hand up forward as the Dogs went down 17.14 (116) to 9.12 (66) to the hard-running Saints.

Adam Cooney and Sam Power both kicked two goals in the second half, but it was far too little, too late for the Bulldogs.Nick Riewoldt booted four goals for St Kilda in his first game back from a nagging hamstring injury, while Justin Koschitzke (two goals) and Fraser Gehrig caused plenty of headaches for the undermanned Bulldogs’ defence.

Stephen Milne added three second-half goals to rub salt into the Western Bulldogs’ wounds.

The Saints had many more options in attack than the Dogs, who leaned heavily on Johnson, particularly in the first half when he kicked 3.3 of his side's half-time total of 3.6.

St Kilda led by 23 points at quarter time, booting six goals to two in the first quarter.

While the Bulldogs fought their way back into the match in general play in the second quarter, with West, Daniel Cross and Matthew Boyd exerting an influence, their lack of presence in attack meant they were unable to cut the margin.

Goals to Fraser Gehrig and Leigh Montagna in the game’s first two minutes set the tone for the evening.

Scott West racked up his customary 25-plus possessions, but, like most of his mates in the Bulldogs’ midfield, his influence was limited.

Power was lively for a patch in the third term, kicking successive goals to give the Dogs a sniff, but their hope was shortlived as St Kilda kicked away to lead by 36 points at the last change.

The Dogs, who came into the season highly-rated, have lost some of their gloss, with tonight's 50-point defeat following last weekend's poor 38-point loss at the hands of Adelaide.

ST KILDA 6.3 7.7 12.10 17.14 (116)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2 3.6 6.10 9.12 (66)

Goals: Western Bulldogs: B Johnson 3 S Power 2 A Cooney 2 L Darcy D Addison. St Kilda: N Riewoldt 4 S Milne 3 J Koschitzke 2 J Gram X Clarke F Gehrig L Montagna B Goddard J Blake R Harvey C Jones.

Best: Western Bulldogs: S West D Morris B Johnson B Harris D Cross J McMahon. St Kilda: R Harvey N Riewoldt N Dal Santo S Baker J Gram B Goddard.

Injuries: St Kilda: M Clarke (hamstring) replaced in selected side by A McQualter. Western Bulldogs: C Wight (blurred vision).

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: C Donlon S McBurney B Rosebury.

Official crowd: 38,474 at Telstra Dome.