1. Slow start costly again
First quarters have not been a strength for the Western Bulldogs in 2019.
Only five times this year have the Bulldogs jumped out of the blocks and taken a lead into the quarter-time break – ranked equal-16^th in the competition.
The only team that had less entering round 18? St Kilda, with four.
But it was all Saints in the opening stanza, despite Tory Dickson kicking the first goal of the game.
The Saints had more of the ball, won more clearances and sent the ball inside-50 more often.
And the result was a 35-point advantage at the first break in play.

2. The positive?
It wasn’t a great day at the office.
But if there is one positive to take away, it was the Bulldogs’ kicking at goal.
The Bulldogs snagged 14.5 for the day, and while they could have made more of their inside-50 entries – they won that stat 54-46 – they didn’t waste their shots.
Bailey Dale returned to the side and in his fourth AFL game for the season slotted a career-high 5.0.
Sharp-shooter Tory Dickson was also accurate in front of goal, contributing 4.0 – his first four-goal haul since the 2016 preliminary final.

3. The task gets tougher
A win against the Saints would have had the Bulldogs sitting ninth, and just percentage outside the eight. 
The result now means the Bulldogs’ task gets tougher.
Parked in 12^th, the Bulldogs are a game outside the eight – and have a percentage deficit on the 11 teams above them. 
A streak of three consecutive wins has come to an end, and next week’s home game against Fremantle – who also have eight wins to their name – becomes an absolute must-win to keep the season alive.