AFL LIVE updates: Pulsating half by Bulldogs sets up huge lead

Peter Ryan: St Kilda have been absolutely destroyed at centre clearance tonight by the Bulldogs. Their midfield is their Achilles heel and it has been shown up with Tim English, who was widely criticised this week, kicking a goal on the siren to extend the lead to 49 points, the game’s highest margin. The Bulldogs have kicked 12.4 (76), already bigger than three of the Saints five full-time scores this season. It is the highest half-time score the Saints have conceded since Ross Lyon returned to coach the club at the start of last season.

Harvey Gallagher snags one .… needing just 70 seconds after the main break.

Make no mistake, they’ll be no St Kilda comeback.

Up and going in the second half.

Peter Ryan: St Kilda have been absolutely destroyed at centre clearance tonight by the Bulldogs. Their midfield is their Achilles heel and it has been shown up with Tim English, who was widely criticised this week, kicking a goal on the siren to extend the lead to 49 points, the game’s highest margin. The Bulldogs have kicked 12.4 (76), already bigger than three of the Saints five full-time scores this season. It is the highest half-time score the Saints have conceded since Ross Lyon returned to coach the club at the start of last season.

Tim English this time!

It’s the Bulldogs’ night for sure ….

Western Bulldogs 12.4 (76) lead St Kilda 4.3 (27)

Rhylee West snags one for the Bulldogs.

A quick-fire reply.

Peter Ryan: Mistakes from the Bulldogs gifted the Saints two goals in 15 minutes. Dropped marks to Lachie Bramble and James O’Donnell allowed St Kilda to kick majors, including Hugo Garcia his first. Assistant coach Brendon Goddard said he referred to Hugo as Sergio (as in the Spanish golfer) when they first met and the youngster had no idea what he was talking about.

Darcy Wilson finds a late one for the Saints, keeping the margin within reach as the main break approaches.

Western Bulldogs 10.4 (64) lead St Kilda 4.3 (27)