St Kilda has extended its unbeaten run to six games, with a fantastic 37-point win back home at RSEA Park.
It was a 12-goal surge in the second half that put the game away for the Saints, triumphing 19.11 (125) to 13.10 (88) over the Footscray Bulldogs.
After registering just the second draw for the 2026 VFL season against North Melbourne, the Saints came back home to RSEA Park on a woolly Sunday afternoon.
It only took a minute for the Saints to claim their first goal of the afternoon, with Liam Henry (27 disposals, 9 clearances) registering his first of three majors for the day. Eamonn Armstrong followed suit with a superb goal to put the Saints ahead early in the contest.
The Bulldogs responded with three consecutive goals, and put the game on their terms as Footscray lead the opening stanza by six points.
The game begun to break open in the second term when Mattaes Phillipou (40 disposals, 11 clearances) got to work at the source and was sublime in the contest. The Saints re-discovered their rhythm, booting the first two majors with Patrick Said drilling it from beyond the arc to pinch the lead. The margin was stretched out further as Billy Richardson and Ned Magginness exchanged goals to mark a 14-point lead heading into the main break.
Jack Carroll (46 disposals) provided dash and flare off the half-back flank, in which was ultimately rewarded with a goal to open the account for the second half. Billy Richardson kicked one of his two majors there short after.
Jayden Davey was back doing Davey things, banking a crucial major to provide the Saints some breathing space. Issac Keeler (23 disposals, 7 clearances) played a pivotal rule in what was a superb third term for the Saints, giving the forwards silver service to hold a firm lead of 25-points heading into the final term.
The game was well and truly put away early in the last quarter, with the Saints kicking the first four goals of the term to stamp their authority on the contest. Hugh Boxshall’s (23 disposals, 9 tackles) ferocity led to the game being done and dusted, kicking a crucial goal in that four-goal flurry to extend the lead further and further away from the Bulldogs.
Blake Chambers (23 disposals, 2 goals) put the game beyond reach for Footscray as the Saints ran away 37-point winners.
NEXT GAME: St Kilda enjoys a bye before heading to Windy Hill to face the Bombers.
ST KILDA: 3.4 7.8 13.10 19.11 (125)
FOOTSCRAY: 4.4 5.6 9.9 13.10 (88)
GOALS
SAINTS: Henry 3, Said 2, Richardson 2, Chambers 2, Maginness 2, Travaglia, Phillipou, Keeler, Davey, Carroll, Campigli, Boxshall, Armstrong
BULLDOGS: Sexton 3, May 2, Vandermeer, Smith, Ramshaw, Gallagher, Emmett, Dolan, Davidson, Billings
