MARCUS Bontempelli may have kicked four goals in a single quarter, but it was a "ridiculously good" performance from another Bulldog that caught the eye of coach Luke Beveridge.

After spending time up forward in last week's loss to Port Adelaide, Jason Johannisen returned to a familiar stomping ground, relishing the freedom he was afforded to run off half-back.

He finished with a career-high 42 disposals, 12 rebound-50s and five inside-50s in the Western Bulldogs' 35-point win over St Kilda on Saturday night.

DOGS SAVAGE SAINTS Full match coverage and stats

"His best position is probably that high-running back and he can play on the wing, we keep trying to get it right for him, but he needs help," Beveridge said. 

"Tonight was just a ridiculously good game from him. His speed was just next level. I imagine next week (against North Melbourne) he's going to get a bit more attention."

Bontempelli has been acting captain while Easton Wood is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Beveridge said he has been as affected by the Dogs' poor run of form as anyone.

"It was an explosive third quarter, wasn't it? He kicked four goals that quarter. I got interviewed before the game, and they asked me about Marcus, obviously he gets some attention week-to-week.

WATCH Bont's big third term

"The look on his face pre-game is always, 'I want to lead from the front', and the intent's there. He's feeling it as much as anyone. Easton's feeling it because he can't play at the moment.

"So for him to drag the boys along, and there were others who did some outstanding things consistently throughout the course of the night, but he set a prime example and it was a very influential third stanza."


Roarke Smith suffered a concussion in a tackle halfway through the second quarter in his return match after being checked over in hospital following a car crash.

"He's all right, but the docs pulled him out with concussion again," Beveridge said.

WATCH Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference

"Two in a couple of weeks. With the car crash he had a cut in his head, but we'll need to be really careful with him now."

After an injury-decimated season, some rare good news for the Dogs was they suffered no other injuries aside from Smith's concussion. Key defender Marcus Adams, who missed the game with soreness, is a chance to return for next week's clash with North Melbourne.

"The 'Scray (VFL side Footscray) boys beat the mighty Dolphins (Beveridge's former side Frankston) … this afternoon and a few of our younger blokes played well in that as well, so one or two might put their hand up for next week if there's a spot or two."