Jake Stringer’s four-goal haul has given Western Bulldogs a 23-point win over St Kilda.

The Bulldogs crushed hopes of a winning home send-off for St Kilda legend Lenny Hayes with an 18.14 (122) to 15.9 (99) win.

In his farewell match, Hayes earned applause with every possession but was not at his tough-tackling, hard-running best.

His biggest cheer was a third-term tackle on Matt Boyd, rewarded with a holding-the-ball call which he converted from 45 metres.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney asked his young pack of Bulldogs to mark their territory against the Saints and they set about the task with vigour.

Led by Adam Cooney, the Bulldogs produced their best first-quarter in McCartney’s three seasons, kicking 7.4 to burst out of the blocks.

The Bulldogs were effervescent by hand, giving them the speed to run through St Kilda.

The star turn came from Stringer, whose magic touches around goal showed St Kilda’s tall forwards what they were missing.

The best came in the Bulldogs’ first-quarter spree, when Springer took the ball in a contest on the centre-wing.

Bursting through the arms of two would-be tacklers, the 20-year-old screamed away, outpacing James Gwilt to tickle one home from the pocket.

He was at it again in the second term, never giving up on a ball destined for the line, before tackling, regathering and kicking truly with a check-side.

The Saints never stopped trying, with Nick Riewoldt typically industrious and David Armitage among their best.

James Gwilt kicked three goals after being thrown forward, and St Kilda gave themselves a chance with four goals in five late minutes.

With the Saints two goals away from a lead, Luke Dahlhaus benefitted from a wicked goal-line bounce to ensure no final minute madness.

The loss keeps St Kilda rooted to the bottom of the AFL table.