The Bulldogs were within two points at three-quarter time, but were again denied by the boot of Saint's prolific goalscorer Matt Walsh in a 13.15 (93) to 10.11 (71) battle at Griffiths Park.
Walsh who last week kicked his 1000th goal for the club, finished with eight on Saturday as the hosts prevailed in a tight one in front of former players and clubmates celebrating a 20-year premiership reunion.
The win keeps Saints second, in front of Souths on percentage, and locks Centrals in fourth.
Centrals coach Heath Mitchell rated it as another step in the right direction after a string of poor results had taken the wind out of their sails. "We got rolled by Port by 100 then lost to Souths by 50 and now Saints by 20 so we are building and the form line is trending upwards," he said.
"Internally we know just where we've been at and while we don't just accept losses, we can be very pleased with that effort."
In blustery conditions Centrals should have gone ahead in the third term as they heaped pressure on Saint's defence only to miss at least three clear chances.
They still finished the term 61-59 behind and very much in the contest.
Walsh kicked two in the final term as Saints managed four of the first five majors to edge ahead.
"We were in it with 10 to go," Mitchell said.
"We'll come back from this bye and have a real crack in these last three rounds.
Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 04/08/2015 16:43