St Kilda survived a stunning late fightback from the Western Bulldogs to hang on for a three-point win in Saturday’s AFL elimination final.

The Saints prevailed in a 10.7 (67) to 9.10 (64) victory at the Gabba that saw them advance to a semi-final meeting with reigning premiers Richmond.

But they face a nervous wait on Ben Long’s availability after his high bump on Jack Macrae, which is sure to be scrutinised by the match review officer.

Teammate Paddy Ryder also went to the bench with a mystery injury in the last few minutes and finished the match in tears.

St Kilda led by four goals at three-quarter time but the Bulldogs charged home with four goals to one in the final term.

Caleb Daniel’s goal brought them within a kick with more than two minutes left to play, but the comeback ultimately fell short.

Young key forward Max King kicked two goals in the Saints’ first finals win in more than 10 years.

St Kilda got on top in the middle where Dan Hannebery (20 disposals), Zak Jones and Seb Ross (both 16) got to work, and dominated contested marks (21-13) around the ground.

Jarryn Geary took a career-best four of them and shone in attack, where he limited the influence of Dogs playmakers Daniel and Jason Johannisen.

The no-nonsense skipper also finished with two goals, as did Tim Membrey and Ryder, who got on top of Tim English in the ruck.

The teams went goal for goal in the first half as King stood tall with two strong contested pack marks deep in attack that he followed up with goals.

Geary, too, posed a threat in the front half as he twice outmuscled Daniel, and the Bulldogs lost Zaine Cordy to an ankle injury before the main break.

The tall defender watched the second half from the grandstand.

The Dogs led by five points when Mitch Wallis converted a free kick from the boundary line at the 10-minute mark of the second term but conceded six of the next seven goals.

Lachie Hunter was given the chance to get the deficit back under 20 points before three-quarter time but hit the post from point-blank range after a 50m penalty.

Bailey Smith (24 disposals), Marcus Bontempelli (21) and Daniel (26) worked tirelessly for the Bulldogs, who are still searching for their first finals triumph since the 2016 premiership.

Josh Bruce kicked the opening goal but he and fellow key forward Aaron Naughton had little influence.