A slick Dogs outfit spoiled Lenny Hayes’ tribute match with an offensive display as rare as it was impressive at Etihad Stadium.

The Dogs piled on 18 goals for just the second time in McCartney’s three seasons to record their seventh win and overcome an ‘‘emotional’’ Saints team that never gave up trying to win for club champion Hayes, eventually falling short by 23 points, 18.14 (122) to 15.9 (99), in front of a crowd of  more than 30,000 on Sunday.

The Dogs’ ability to score has been  a criticism of McCartney’s tenure at Whitten Oval. However, the coach  said some of his team’s rapid ball movement through the corridor, particularly that  leading to a blistering seven-goal opening term, was the type of play he hoped would become a hallmark when his young charges  began to challenge for premierships.

‘‘It was sort of an up-and-back open sort of a game which we weren’t expecting, but we handled it pretty well and moved the ball quickly and converted well, which we don’t do every week,’’  he said.

‘‘But it was good to watch today. Is it exactly how we want to play all the time? Probably not. Keep the attacking side, be a bit better at the defensive side, and I won’t only be a happier coach, I think we will be a happier club — because we will be a lot more competitive and win a lot more games.’’

Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney delivered one of his best games, racking up 25 disposals to go with three goals, while Shaun Higgins (26 disposals, six rebound 50s) ignited the Dogs’ counter-attack off half-back in a display that would have added to his currency on the trade market.

The Dogs’ forward line looked as dangerous as at any point  in the McCartney years.

Jake Stringer put his hand up for a Rising Star nomination with four goals,  one a spectacular effort in the second quarter where he fended off two opponents and then slotted an inside-out banana. Stewart Crameri  chimed in late with three goals to help the Dogs hold off a spirited last-quarter charge from the Saints.

While Hayes (who finished with 17 disposals and three clearances) will not retire until the end of the season, Sunday was St Kilda’s last home game and marketed as the supporters’ last chance to pay tribute to the 34-year-old.

The Saints almost pulled off  an upset, coming back from six goals down midway through the final quarter to close within 11 points with three minutes left, a  swing that began with a goal from Hayes just before three-quarter time.

However, the Dogs always found a responding goal whenever they needed it, and McCartney said he was pleased that his team showed enough poise to handle the surging Saints, even though they blew several chances to ice the game.

‘‘They were  quite emotional as a club, weren’t they?’’ McCartney said. ‘‘The crowd was involved, their players were involved. Clearly, he [Hayes] is just so important to them.’’

With games to come against Sydney, resurgent Richmond and Adelaide, the Saints  are anchored to the bottom of the ladder and  set to lose young gun Jack Billings with a hamstring injury he sustained in the dying minutes.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said the Saints only had themselves to blame for leaving their run too late.

‘‘We were 27 points down at quarter time, and we won the remainder of the game by three points, I think,’’  he said. ‘‘We got smashed at the centre bounce in the first quarter.’’