The Western Bulldogs have suffered an opening round loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

The match started as a tight tussle, with the Bulldogs arresting momentum early to hold a two-goal advantage midway through the second quarter.

But it didn’t take long for the Dees to turn the tides in their favour, overrunning the Bulldogs 17.13 (115) to 9.11 (65).

In a frustrating affair, little seemed to go the Bulldogs’ way.

They looked promising when transitioning the ball out of defence, but more often than not were intercepted upon entry inside 50.

08:45

Luke Beveridge | Post Match (RD1)

Bevo speaks to the media following the Round one loss.

Inaccuracy in front of goal didn’t help either – heading into the main break 5.9 to the Dees’ 9.4.

Midfield bulls Tom Liberatore (32 disposals, seven clearances, one goal), Adam Treloar (32 disposals, six tackles, one goal) and Jack Macrae (33 disposals, four marks, one goal) found plenty of the footy, while Caleb Daniel (29 disposals, five marks) and Ed Richards (27 disposals, seven rebounds) were strong. 

01:03

Ed Richards | 'Really disappointing off such a strong pre-season'

Ed Richards discusses the round one loss and looks forward to our first home game against the Saints.

Marcus Bontempelli did his best to lift his side with 25 touches and six clearances, while Tim English continued his rise as an emerging ruck, winning 22 hit-outs. 

Oskar Baker also slotted his first goal in the red, white and blue, as one of nine individual goalkickers.

On the injury front, Liam Jones was subbed out at half-time following a knock to the neck, and was replaced by Toby McLean.

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back next Saturday night when they host St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

MELBOURNE                           3.3    9.4    13.8   17.13 (115)
WESTERN BULLDOGS             2.4    5.9     8.10     9.11 (65) 

GOALS 
Melbourne: Pickett 4, Brown 4, Spargo 2, Gawn 2, Sparrow, Melksham, Grundy, Chandler, Neal-Bullen
Western Bulldogs: Williams, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, Naughton, Macrae, Liberatore, Johannisen, Bontempelli, Baker 

BEST 
Melbourne: Pickett, Brown, Gawn, Petracca, Rivers, Lever
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Richards, Bontempelli, Treloar, Macrae 

INJURIES 
Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Jones (neck) 

SUBSTITUTES 
Melbourne: Jake Melksham (replaced Bailey Laurie at three-quarter time)
Western Bulldogs: Toby McLean (replaced Liam Jones at half-time)