An impotent St Kilda remains mired in mediocrity after being handed a 27-point defeat by a resilient Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

Led by another sterling performance from Jason Akermanis, who bagged six goals, the Western Bulldogs weathered St Kilda's early charge, emphatically outplaying the Saints to win 15.16 (106) to 11.13 (79).

After leading by two goals at quarter time, the Saints barely fired a shot. Of their eight goals after quarter time, only two came when the game was still on the line. Their six goals in the final term only sugar-coated another discouraging performance.

It was not that the Saints were guilty of not trying but no amount of effort could make up for the massive gulf in class between the two sides.

The Saints were at their best in the first quarter when their aggression and endeavour choked the Bulldogs, who were unable to find any time and space to break the game open.

Ryan Griffen was the subject of some close attention from the Saints, receiving a physical battering from Matthew Ferguson and Luke Ball, but he, like his team, bounced back to show that the Bulldogs of 2008 are a far superior class to that of 12 months ago.

Another telling example of this toughness was provided by Brian Lake, who left the field in the opening minutes of the game before returning in the second and finishing the game among the votes.

Despite the tight rein applied to them, the Bulldogs simply gritted their teeth and persevered until the Saints could hold on no longer.

The tide turned in the second quarter when they booted five goals to St Kilda's one and by three-quarter time the Bulldogs had put the game beyond doubt with a further four goals to one.

Akermanis was again outstanding. The former Lion was influential early when his team was flat then turned the game around with a superb second quarter. Midway through that term Akermanis, with 2.2, had contributed the entire score for the quarter.

The Bulldogs attack had been weakened by the suspension of Robert Murphy, but through Akermanis' brilliance and the skill of Daniel Giansiracusa, who managed four goals, kept the scoreboard ticking along at a steady rate.

How the Saints must wish they had a player like Akermanis who could exert such influence in a game. Their forward line, while strong on paper, was weak where it mattered most - on the field.

Daniel Morris took the honours on Nick Riewoldt, who was only serviceable with eight marks and two goals, but Stephen Milne and Justin Koschitzke, who recovered from an injury scare, were woeful.

Jason Gram was St Kilda's best, providing his customary dash from defence, but it is in the midfield where the Saints need his run. Nick Dal Santo won plenty of the ball, but so did his opponent Matthew Boyd, but Ball and Lenny Hayes only plodded.

The Saints are only half a game outside the eight but on the evidence of this game the finals seem so much further away.

ST KILDA: 3.6, 4.7, 5.8, 11.13 (79)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 2.0, 7.5, 11.13, 15.16 (106)

GOALS: St Kilda: Gram 2, Jones 2, Riewoldt 2, Birss, Blake, Dal Santo, Hayes, Milne
Western Bulldogs: Akermanis 6, Giansiracusa 4, Griffen, Ray, Ward, Welsh, Williams
BEST: St Kilda: Gram, Jones, Fisher, Gardiner
Western Bulldogs: Akermanis, Lake, Giansiracusa, Hargrave, Morris, Boyd
INJURIES: St Kilda: Koschitzke (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Nil
REPORTS: Hudson (Western Bulldogs) by umpire McLaren for striking Montagna in the second quarter
CHANGES: King (St Kilda) and Harvey (St Kilda) replaced in selected side by L.Fisher and Gwilt
UMPIRES: McLaren, Schmitt, Chamberlain
CROWD: 38,914 at Telstra Dome

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs)
2. Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs)
1. Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs)