St Kilda surged into second spot on the AFL table but were left counting the cost of their 18-point victory over top-four rivals Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Forward Justin Koschitzke was placed on report for an off-the-ball strike on Ryan Crowley, defender Raphael Clarke injured his hamstring in the first quarter and Leigh Montagna was left dazed after copping a knee to the head in a marking contest.

Brendon Goddard and Crowley were also involved in a heated exchange after the final siren that threatened to boil over as players from both sides converged on the sparring pair.

"I'm really proud of their efforts under some real adversity," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said after the match.

"Twenty-three degrees, biggest ground in Australia and we lose Raph Clarke 10 minutes in, I thought 'gee whiz'.

"There was some really courageous efforts, Farren Ray backing back in the path of Pavlich and Montagna really got creamed.

"That's just to mention a couple of them.

"We go into the bye licking some wounds."

Milestone man Stephen Milne, playing his 200th match, was at his pesty, mesmerising best, booting four first-half goals to set up the 12.13 (85) to 10.7 (67) win.

Earlier, the Western Bulldogs reignited their top-four hopes, as Barry Hall kicked six goals in a 17.19 (121) to 8.8 (56) thrashing of Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

The fifth-placed Bulldogs, who had lost their previous two matches, are now only a game behind fourth-placed Fremantle.

The Lions have some serious concerns, now a win and a large percentage gap out of the top eight, and with captain and star player Jonathan Brown set to miss their next two matches, after pulling out of the Bulldogs clash with groin soreness.

Richmond star forward Jack Riewoldt became the first AFL player since Brown in 2007 to notch a 10-goal haul on Sunday, as the bottom-placed Tigers thrashed West Coast 19.12 (126) to 11.11 (77) at the MCG.

It was Richmond's second win in three games and tightens the battle for the wooden spoon, leaving them just one win behind the Eagles and Adelaide.

Earlier in the weekend, sixth-placed Carlton missed a potential chance to climb into the top four at the expense of Fremantle, when they were upset by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Kangaroos celebrated 25 years of Friday night football with a 14.13 (97) to 10.8 (68) win, Lindsay Thomas shining with seven goals as North climbed to a 6-6 record.

Hawthorn notched their fifth successive win, a 19.19 (124) to 11.11 (77) thrashing of Adelaide in Launceston on Saturday.

It maintained their hold on eighth spot, ahead of the Kangaroos on percentage.

Geelong's star-studded midfield dominated as the Cats thumped Essendon 23.16 (154) to 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Seventh-placed Sydney are challenging for a top four berth, after handing Port Adelaide their fifth consecutive defeat at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

The Swans won 14.9 (93) to 8.7 (55), with Adam Goodes starring with three goals.

The current round concludes on Monday, when Collingwood have the chance to snatch back second spot from the Saints in their annual Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

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