THE WESTERN Bulldogs have shaken off a disappointing St Kilda and bolted into the top four with a comfortable 40-point win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Dogs had the only elite forward on the ground in Jake Stringer, who kicked four goals in the first half and finished the game with five as the St Kilda backline failed to cope with his pace and agility.

In a match of sporadic quality, the Dogs were sluggish in the opening term but Stringer's brilliance got them to the main change with a 16-point lead.

With Jake Carlisle shifted into attack in the third term, the Dogs took advantage of an unsettled St Kilda defence to kick five goals to two in the third quarter and put the game beyond doubt.

The Saints kept the score respectable in the final term but Luke Beveridge's men cruised home, 13.12 (90) to 7.8 (50).

The only concern for the Dogs was a final-quarter left hamstring injury to Bob Murphy which saw the skipper finish the game on the bench.

Both teams have the bye next week but the Dogs will enjoy the week off far more.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.2    5.6   10.9    13.12 (90)
ST KILDA                       2.1    3.2    5.5      7.8 (50)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 5, Dickson, Dale, Murphy, Suckling, Bontempelli, Johannisen, Picken, T.Boyd
St Kilda: Billings, McKenzie, Membrey, Gresham, Newnes, Weller, McCartin

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Stringer, Hunter, Johannisen, Wallis, Dale, Macrae
St Kilda: Newnes, Montagna, Carlisle, Stevens, Roberton, Ross

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Hunter (ankle), Murphy (hamstring), Jong (cut head)
St Kilda: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hay, Meredith, Findlay  

Official crowd: 34,685 at Etihad Stadium