Jake Stringer has starred in his return to the Western Bulldogs' forward line, booting five goals in his team's comfortable 40-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Stringer has been nicknamed 'The Package' in recent years but could have taken on 'The Difference' as his moniker on Saturday, as his team overcame a sloppy start to maintain its place in the top-eight with a 13.12 (90) to 7.8 (50) win.
After two weeks out with a medial ligament strain in his knee, Stringer was on from the start, kicking four goals in the first half and keeping his side in the contest when St Kilda had periods of control.
His speed on the lead, movement off the mark and uncanny goal sense made him difficult to contain for the Saints' defenders, and he finished with 15 disposals and seven marks.
Stringer was central to a Dogs side that toughed out the win after three losses in their past four games, but it won't be a game remembered as an epic by any stretch.
Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen was among the Dogs' best with 29 disposals and a last-term goal, while Jack Macrae (25 disposals), Mitch Wallis (28) and Luke Dahlhaus also worked into things. Lachie Hunter's job of restricting St Kilda playmaker Jack Steven to just 17 disposals was also noteworthy.
Jack Newnes (35 disposals) and Leigh Montagna (34) helped step up in the absence of big numbers for Steven, while Koby Stevens (28), in his first game against his old side, was busy. Jake Carlisle was also solid, particularly in the first half, and Dylan Roberton continued his consistent season.
No.1 pick Paddy McCartin kicked a last-term goal when the heat was out of the game but showed impressive signs with nine marks and 15 disposals, and should now have a consistent run at the top level for the Saints.
The lacklustre first term set up what wasn't exactly a highlight-laden clash. Both sides struggled to move the ball fluently into attack in the opening quarter, with stuttering attempts seeing most of the play stuck between the forward arcs.
The Saints had plenty of the ball – recording 130 disposals in the first term, 38 more than the Bulldogs – but couldn't get any bang for their buck, with Stringer's two goals giving the Dogs a one-point lead at the opening change.
The second quarter saw a continuation of St Kilda's statistical dominance, but with injured ex-skipper Nick Riewoldt (knee bone bruising) sitting in the stands, the Saints struggled to turn their opportunities into conversions.
The Dogs, on the other hand, were slicker in possession and had a dangerous and revitalised Stringer proving a headache. Stringer was sharp and was efficient, helping his side to a 16-point lead at the major break.
Newnes' 23 disposals at half-time, along with 21 to veteran Montagna, highlighted the Saints' midfield control over the premiers to that stage. However, where St Kilda's forward passages lacked direction at times, the Dogs, well, they had Stringer. Not much else separated the teams.
Richardson moved former Bomber Carlisle to centre-half forward for the third term, and the 25-year-old's first marking contest led to a spillage for Gresham to kick the opening goal of the third quarter.
The Saints' momentum was short-lived, however. The Dogs kicked five of the next six goals and their best players came into the game. Marcus Bontempelli proved a threat in attack, Murphy's class stood out and Macrae's hard work in the midfield started to pay dividends.
Youngster Bailey Dale also helped ignite the Dogs into action with a promising quarter through the midfield, with the third-year player's movement, skill and speed assisting his team to a 34-point advantage at the final break. The Saints, with just five goals to that points, were not coming back from that.
MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: The Dogs lost Clay Smith to calf soreness before the game, while captain Bob Murphy left the ground late in the game with a left hamstring injury.
St Kilda: The Saints appeared to get through the game without any major concerns.
UP NEXT
Both clubs have the bye in round 11. St Kilda will return from its week off with a clash against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, while the Dogs' round 12 encounter will see them take on Sydney at the SCG.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2 5.6 10.9 13.12 (90)
ST KILDA 2.1 3.2 5.5 7.8 (50)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 5, Dickson, Dale, Murphy, Suckling, Bontempelli, Johannisen, Picken, T.Boyd
St Kilda: Billings, McKenzie, Membrey, Gresham, Newnes, Weller, McCartin
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Stringer, Hunter, Johannisen, Wallis, Dale, Macrae
St Kilda: Newnes, Montagna, Carlisle, Stevens, Roberton, Ross
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hay, Meredith, Findlay
Official crowd: 34,685 at Etihad Stadium
