THE WESTERN Bulldogs have finished their season on a high and served St Kilda a reality check with a 45-point win on a proper Melbourne scorcher at RSEA Park.
The Dogs maintained cool, calm and collected on the 30-degree day, finishing their game 10.12 (72) to the Saints 4.3 (27)
Tam Hyett would be pleased with her Bulldogs’ response from last week, taking control of the game early and dominating the passage of play for the majority of the game with 121 uncontested possessions to the Saints’ 93 .
In what was an impressively even performance from all the Dogs players, Sarah Poustie stood out with 19 disposals and six clearances to keep her side ahead, while Ellie Blackburn had 18 disposals, a game-high 632 metres gained and snagged a goal.
St Kilda has been battered and bruised as of late, with an injury list looming as large as the RSEA Park ferris wheel exposing cracks in the Saints’ game.
They almost managed to get through today unscathed until Lambert was out at the start of the final quarter with calf soreness, previously contributing 15 disposals.
St Kilda’s normally sturdy backline was also tested with a late out from Paige Trudgeon, whilst Ella Friend missed the majority of the second quarter as she battled the heat and rested from the blaring sun.
The Western Bulldogs capitalised on the undermanned side instantly, raising their inside 50s from nine in the first quarter to 25 by half-time, and converting three crafty goals in the second term. They ultimately finished plus 23 to the Saints.
Serene Watson was doing her best to keep St Kilda in the game, notching up 24 disposals, 10 intercept possessions and 618 metres gained.
Despite the Saints looking unmanned across the entire game, it was the Bulldogs who accidentally played one player down for part of the third quarter. Due to some confusion with their bench, the Dogs played a few minutes with just 15 players, leaving Ariana Clark to run free.
But it was ultimately inconsequential, with a team effort producing eight individual goal scorers across the match and tying their season up nicely.
Resting Saints
With finals locked in, the Saints weren’t taking any chances with Nic Barr and Paige Trudgeon after the two pulled up sore off the back of Thursday training. Following a test early Sunday morning, the pin was pulled on the duo with Ariana Clark and Nat Plane brought in as replacements. But spare a thought for the latter, sporting long sleeves in 30-degree weather to stay safe from the sun.
Darcy Guttridge and Ariana Clark during the AFLW Round 12 match between St Kilda and Western Bulldogs at RSEA Park, November 2, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Positive signs for the Dogs
It’s the shame Sunday’s win was the last outing for the Western Bulldogs this year because, like their men’s counterparts, they’re one of the most fun teams to watch and yet not make finals. With eight individual goal scorers and a 45-point win, you’d think the Dogs would be right amongst it but instead will return to the kennel and proceed with their off-season wrap up. Considering their decent percentage, they finish the season just one win off making the eight and may come to rue some early-season losses. But there’s always next year.
Up next
St Kilda is marching into finals, but whether it’s at home or away depends on the result of the Adelaide and Fremantle game to close off the round. The Western Bulldogs’ season is done, and the club will commence exit interviews this week in preparation for trade and the draft in the back end of the year.
ST KILDA 1.1 2.2 3.3 4.3 (27)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 4.4 6.8 10.11 (72)
GOALS
St Kilda: Anderson 2, Guttridge, Amber Clarke,
Western Bulldogs: McDonald 2, Berry 2, Woodley, Hartwig, Grigg, Blackburn, Ferres, Gavales,
BEST
St Kilda: Watson, Smith, Lambert, Gee
Western Bulldogs: Poustie, Gavals, Blackburn, Fitzgerald
INJURIES
St Kilda: Lambert(calf)
Western Bulldogs: Nil
LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: Nic Barr, Paige Trudgeon – replaced by Nat Plane and Ari Clarke
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Crowd: TBC at RSEA Park
