Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says some "inexcusable" errors cost his side in their stunning three-point AFL loss to St Kilda.

The Saints won 7.7 (49) to 6.10 (46) at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, trailing almost throughout, until three goals in a six-minute burst near the end gave them victory.

Their last-quarter charge was remarkable, given they managed just seven scoring shots in the first three quarters, before outscoring the Bulldogs 3.4 to 0.2 in the final term.

With both sides' emphasis on defensive pressure, the value of each goal was magnified, and so was the cost of mistakes, with goals coming more often from opposition errors than smooth chains of attacking play.

It left Eade ruing several incidents, including an off-the-ball free kick against Bulldogs spearhead Barry Hall, which cost team-mate Lindsay Gilbee a shot at goal in the second quarter.

Dogs defender Tom Williams ensured Saint Stephen Milne of a goal early in the third, after running across the mark to give up a 50m penalty.

"Both were disappointing, the St Kilda player might have kicked the goal anyway but it was certainly disappointing to gift it to him," Eade said.

"Obviously Lindsay Gilbee probably would have slotted it from 35m, so that was disappointing from Barry to get involved in that.

"I've spoken to him about that, that's not what we're about, especially when we've got the ball, that was inexcusable."

But Eade said other moments hurt too, such as a decision by Daniel Giansiracusa to try to chip to a team-mate in the goalsquare rather than shoot for goal from 30m in the last term, resulting in a turnover, and a later Jarrad Grant miss.

"There were lots of opportunities to actually ice the game," Eade said.

But the Bulldogs boss said despite the decision and skill errors, the defensive pressure his side applied and their hard work was encouraging.

He said that if that was maintained, their form would gradually lift.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon gave credit to his side's fitness and conditioning staff and the players' "will to win" for their ability to lift late in a high tempo game.

But he said the Saints, despite their 5-1 record, also had issues to work on, noting the forward line was poor for the first three quarters.

"We're still trying to find our system and really team balance at selection, the right tall forwards and the right ruck mix," he said.

"It's a little bit of a battle at the minute but we're gradually getting there."

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