ALREADY a topic for debate, the advantage rule looks set to be discussed further this week after what looked to be a certain goal for the Western Bulldogs turned into a goal for St Kilda in the third term on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

Western Bulldogs’ forward Nathan Djerrkura was awarded a free kick after St Kilda’s Clinton Jones grabbed Djerrkura too high in a marking contest.

Djerrkura was just 20 metres out from goal when the free was awarded, but while he lay flat on the ground, teammate Daniel Cross grabbed the ball and took three steps. He suddenly stopped, as did the players around him, but the umpire had already called 'advantage', and the Saints were able to force the ball free.

With the Bulldogs left flat-footed, the Saints swooped. In no time, Nick Riewoldt bombed the ball long to Nick Dal Santo, who ran into an easy goal. The goal was Saints’ third for the third quarter and gave St Kilda a 22-point advantage, at that stage its largest of the match.