Jake Stringer's four-goal haul has helped Western Bulldogs to a 23-point win over St Kilda.
The Bulldogs crushed hopes of a winning send-off for St Kilda legend Lenny Hayes with a 18.14 (122) to 15.9 (99) win.
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 and Shaun Higgins, 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.
McCartney hailed a "good day" from his side.
"It had its challenges but we got four points, and we don't do that every week, so we've got to enjoy it," he said.
"We moved the ball quickly and converted well... it was good to watch today."
"Is it exactly how we want to play? Probably not.
"Keep the attacking side, and a bit better at the defensive side... we'll be a happier club."
The strong form of free agent Higgins, who led the possession count with 26, couldn't convince McCartney to speak about the player's future.
But the star turn came from Stringer, whose magic touch around goal showed St Kilda's tall forwards what they were missing.
The best came in the Bulldogs' first-quarter spree, when Stringer 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 magnificent check-side.
The Saints never stopped trying, with Nick Riewoldt typically industrious and David Armitage among their best.
In his farewell home match, Hayes earned applause with every touch but was not at his tough-tackling, hard-running best.
His biggest cheer came from a third-quarter tackle on Matt Boyd, rewarded with a holding-the-ball call which he converted from 45 metres.
James Gwilt kicked three 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 benefited from a wicked goal-line bounce to ensure there would be no final minute madness.
St Kilda boss Alan Richardson lamented his side's slow start.
"Down 27 points at quarter-time, we won the remainder of the game by three," he said.
"It was good the guys were able to dig in and do something about it."
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