Key forward Josh Bruce had two cracks at a win against his former side last year, but St Kilda proved too strong on both occasions.

The second of those – the Saints’ three-point, elimination final win – sticks in his memory, with Bruce and the Bulldogs happy to get one back on Saturday night.

“We couldn’t get the job done (against the Saints) last year and obviously the elimination final was a bitter pill to swallow, ending our season last year against the old mob,” Bruce said post-game.

“It was pleasing to get the win tonight.

“I think it was won and lost in the midfield, our mids just got on top and were able to get the ball our really cleanly and then we were able to pin them into our forward 50 and win that territory battle.

“It was a pretty complete performance from all the boys.”

Bruce added another three goals to his season tally, taking it to 30, and sits in equal-second spot in the Coleman Medal race.

But he was happy to play second fiddle to fellow forward Aaron Naughton – who snagged five second-half goals – and Marcus Bontempelli, who added four goals to a dominant midfield performance.

“Marcus was amazing again tonight,” Bruce said.

“To have another dangerous player down in the forward line hopefully takes another dangerous defender with him – and at the moment our forward line’s functioning so well that anyone can pop up and kick a couple of goals here and there.

“It was Naughty’s night tonight, he’s had a good couple of weeks the big Astro.

“It was good to play a sidekick role to him, I’m loving it.”