Bailey Dale of the Bulldogs celebrates one of his five goals during the Round 18 AFL match between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on July 21, 2019. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

The Western Bulldogs will not only be looking to bounce back from a Round 1 loss this Sunday – they’ll also be hoping to make amends for a last-up loss to St Kilda. 

The Saints, who also lost their opening game of the 2020 season, got the better of the Dogs when they last met, in Round 18 last year.

The two teams have met at Marvel Stadium in 12 straight games, with each side winning six games.

Here’s a look at the last five times the Bulldogs and Saints have met:

00:29

Dale prevails with a delightful deft touch (Rd 18)

Bailey Dale throws his left leg at the ball while being swung in a tackle and manages to roll it through.

2019 – Round 18 (Saints 116 defeated Bulldogs 89)

The Bulldogs were on their late-season march to the finals when they were stunned by an early St Kilda surge at Marvel Stadium.  An 11-goal first half was the Dogs’ undoing, with the 43-point half time deficit too much to overcome.  There were positives though – Bailey Dale booted five goals and Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae combined for 72 disposals and 15 clearances.

 

01:19

Game Breaker | Bont's big third term (Rd20)

Western Bulldog's Marcus Bontempelli slotted four goals in the third quarter to lead the Dogs to a 30-point win over St Kilda

2018 – Round 20 (Bulldogs 103 defeated Saints 68)

A scintillating third quarter burst from the Dogs was the feature of this contest after just four points separated the teams at half time.  Marcus Bontempelli caught fire in the premiership quarter, booting four goals for the term – one of eight majors for the Bulldogs.  Jason Johannisen had a day out, collecting a career-high 42 disposals.

 

2017 – Round 10 (Bulldogs 90 defeated Saints 50)

The Bulldogs scored a comfortable victory, winning all four quarters on the back of a five-goal haul from Jake Stringer.  13 Bulldogs amassed 20 or more possessions in the game, led by Johannisen with 29, who also had eight rebound 50s and kicked a goal.

 

2016 – Round 18 (Saints 75 defeated Bulldogs 60)

An unforgettable night for the Bulldogs, for all the wrong reasons.  Not only were they beaten on the scoreboard, but the Dogs endured horrific injuries to Jack Redpath (torn ACL) and Mitch Wallis (broken leg) which left Marvel Stadium in a state of shock.  Scores were tied late in the third quarter, but St Kilda kicked the last two goals of the game to secure victory.

Tom Liberatore (left) and Liam Picken of the Bulldogs celebrate during Western Bulldogs’ 57-point victory over St Kilda in Round 2, 2016. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

2016 – Round 2 (Bulldogs 93 defeated Saints 36)

The Dogs recorded their biggest win against St Kilda in 13 years, restricting them to just five goals for the evening.  Tom Boyd booted three goals and Lachie Hunter had a game-high 35 disposals as the Bulldogs led from start to finish.