The Western Bulldogs’ 2020 season is over after a heartbreaking three-point loss to St Kilda in the Elimination Final at the Gabba.

A stunning last quarter surge from the Bulldogs was almost enough to get them over the line - a possibility which seemed highly unlikely at three quarter time.

The Dogs completely dominated the last term, kicking four of the last five goals to nearly overcome the 24-point deficit they faced at the final change.

MATCH CENTRE | All the teams and player stats from the elimination final

07:00

Match Highlights | St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

Replay all the action from The Gabba, as the Western Bulldogs took on St Kilda in the second elimination final.

Caleb Daniel drew the Bulldogs to within a single kick with only a couple of minutes on the clock, after goals from Tom Liberatore and Lachie Hunter. 

But in the end, they ran out of time.

Earlier in the game, St Kilda’s dominance in the air was a cut above the Bulldogs, at both ends of the ground. 

A leg injury to Dogs’ defender Zaine Cordy in the second quarter didn’t help their cause, with the Saints finishing the game with a season-high 21 contested marks for the match.

00:46

Libba snap gives Dogs a sniff

A crucial snap at goal by Tom Liberatore gets the Western Bulldogs within striking distance

A stretch of three-straight goals from the Saints late in the third quarter split the game open, which was an arm-wrestle to that point.

Daniel finished his outstanding season with 26 disposals (including a game-high 12 contested possessions), despite spending large periods of the game being minded by St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary.

Bailey Smith toiled hard for his 24 possessions, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli finished with 20 disposals, four clearances and six inside 50s.

The Bulldogs finished the game with 16 more inside 50s than the Saints (including 13 more in the final term), and also narrowly won the clearance battle.

MACCA'S MVP | Who was the Bulldog' best on ground in the elimination final ? Cast your vote for a chance to WIN a $20 McCafe Gift Card.

All The Interviews & Highlights
  • 13:17

    Beveridge | ‘We really made something of the year, but now it [feels] hollow’

    Watch Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Luke Beveridge speak to the media after his side's elimination final loss to St Kilda at The Gabba.

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Bont's message to the Bulldogs faithful

    Marcus Bontempelli sends a thank you message to Bulldogs members and fans after the loss to St Kilda on Saturday at the Gabba.

    AFL
  • 02:44

    Marcus Bontempelli | 'That one stings'

    Hear from Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli following the Elimination Final loss against St Kilda on Saturday afternoon at The Gabba.

    AFL
  • 07:00

    Match Highlights | St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

    Replay all the action from The Gabba, as the Western Bulldogs took on St Kilda in the second elimination final.

    AFL
  • 03:51

    Watch the last two minutes of the Elimination Final

    Relive the thrilling final moments between the Bulldogs and the Saints

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Libba snap gives Dogs a sniff

    A crucial snap at goal by Tom Liberatore gets the Western Bulldogs within striking distance

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Bruce goes bang and Bulldogs are on the board

    Josh Bruce gathers the ball and snaps a goal to open the Dogs' account, and get his first major against his old club.

    AFL
  • 30:02

    The Finals Countdown | Elimination Final Pre-Match Show

    Media personality Sam Edmund is joined by premiership Bulldog Dale Morris to preview Saturday's Elimination Final, with guests Toby McLean, Mark Stevens and Rohan Smith.

    AFL
  • 03:46

    Rohan Smith | 'We can't wait for today'

    Hear from Bulldogs Assistant Coach Rohan Smith ahead of the Elimination Final against St Kilda on Saturday at The Gabba.

    AFL
  • 04:19

    Match Committee | Elimination Final

    Jack Heverin and Terry Wallace bring you all the latest team selection news ahead of the Elimination Final against St Kilda

    AFL
  • 17:51

    Luke Beveridge | 'It's a test to see how far we've come'

    Hear from Luke Beveridge in the lead up to the Elimination Final against St Kilda on Saturday afternoon at The Gabba.

    AFL
  • 01:30

    500 Games for Anissa Groves

    Check out the moment long-term Bulldogs Trainer Anissa Groves was presented with her 500 game jumper.

    AFL
  • 05:18

    Josh Bruce | 'It should be a good match'

    Hear from Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce as he speaks to the media ahead of the Elimination Final against St Kilda on Saturday at the Gabba.

    AFL
  • 31:50

    Barkly Street EP 22 | Finals Time, Dale Morris

    Bob and Bont catch up for the 22nd episode of The Barkly Street podcast to discuss the build-up to Saturday's Elimination Final, reflect on the career of Tory Dickson and catch up with Bulldogs royalty Dale Morris.

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Medical Room | Latest on Suckling, Vandermeer

    Hear the latest injury news on Aaron Naughton, Mitch Wallis, Laitham Vandermeer and Matt Suckling thanks to Elastoplast.

    AFL
  • 05:21

    Bailey Smith | 'It's just who I am'

    Damian Barrett speaks exclusively to Bulldogs star Bailey Smith about finals footy and his cult figure status

    AFL
  • 01:53

    Alex Keath | 'We've got to be ready for a fierce contest'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Alex Keath ahead of the Elimination Final against St Kilda Saints on Saturday at The Gabba.

    AFL
  • 12:32

    Press Conference | Beveridge & Bontempelli

    Hear from Luke Beveridge and Marcus Bontempelli as they speak to the media on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Elimination final against St Kilda.

    AFL
  • 05:47

    Caleb Daniel | 'I'm very proud and humbled'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel following his first AFL All-Australian selection in the lead up to the 2020 finals series.

    AFL
  • 06:57

    Jack Macrae | 'It's very special'

    Hear from Bulldogs midfielder Jackson Macrae following his second straight AFL All-Australian selection in the lead up to the 2020 finals series.

    AFL

 

MATCH DETAILS

ST KILDA                              2.2          5.4          9.6          10.7 (67)

WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.1          4.3          5.6          9.10 (64)

GOALS
St Kilda: King 2, Membrey 2, Ryder 2, Geary 2, Lonie, Butler
Western Bulldogs: Bruce, Johannisen, Crozier, Wallis, Dunkley, Naughton, Hunter, Liberatore, Daniel 

BEST
St Kilda: Geary, Hannebery, Ryder, Clark, Howard, Membrey, Carlisle
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Daniel, Bontempelli, Williams, Crozier

MACCA'S MVP | Who was the Bulldog' best on ground in the elimination final ? Cast your vote for a chance to WIN a $20 McCafe Gift Card.

INJURIES
St Kilda: Ryder (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Cordy (ankle)




AFL Elimination Final | St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

Contesting their second elimination final in as many years, a final quarter surge wasn't enough to see the Western Bulldogs overcome St Kilda, falling to the Saints by three-points at The Gabba.
112