Had the situations been reversed, St Kilda would have led by at least five goals at quarter time in Friday night's AFL preliminary final.

The Bulldogs were magnificent early in the match at the MCG, effectively giving the Saints a dose of their own suffocating "team defence".

But the one, stark part of the game where the 'Dogs did not dominate was the one that matters most - on the scoreboard.

The Bulldogs could only manage 2.5, then 4.7 at halftime, and the door was still open for the minor premiers.

Mitch Hahn and Bob Murphy were presenting and working hard, but the inability of the 'Dogs to capitalise on the early advantage again focusses attention on their lack of a big, power forward.

You fancy former Sydney co-captain Barry Hall will have some serious discussions with the 'Dogs over the coming days.

The Bulldogs' defence was superb in the first half on the Saints two big forwards, captain Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.

Dale Morris was giving a master class on how to play Riewoldt and first-time All-Australian Brian Lake had also kept Koschitzke under control.

At times, the two big Saints forwards were triple-teamed as the Bulldogs defenders worked well together.

But as the Saints slowly worked their way back into the game, it meant Riewoldt did not have to work up past the wing to gain his possessions.

Riewoldt and Koschitzke were not dominating, but they remained two, big, threatening targets.

As someone once said, big blokes don't get any smaller as the game progresses.

When Riewoldt kicked his first goal of the match, thanks to a dubious free kick at the start of the third term, the signs were very ominous for the brave Bulldogs.

Again, to their credit, the 'Dogs held their nerve despite a long goal from defender Sam Fisher putting them 11 points behind.

The Bulldogs replied with two goals to hit the front again, putting the game back in a tense balance.

With only seconds left in the third term, the Saints sent a long ball deep into attack, where two Bulldogs defenders went to spoil Riewoldt.

But unlike the first term, this time Saints players were well-positioned at the fall of the ball.

Brendon Goddard handballed to Stephen Milne, who had done next to nothing in the game, and his snap put the Saints back in front at the last break.

Riewoldt kicked four goals in the second half, putting his team ahead in the last term and then soccering off the ground with a minute and 15 seconds left to seal the win.

It followed his five goals in the qualifying-final win over Collingwood.

Named All-Australian for the fourth time this week and captain of that team for the first time, he is one of the modern game's champions.

How the Bulldogs would have loved to have had him at full-forward.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP