Marcus Bontempelli has propelled Footscray into the top four, starring in the side's 51-point win over Melbourne on Friday evening.

The Bulldogs were in control from the off, and never ceded in the 15.20 (110) to 9.5 (59) victory under the Marvel Stadium roof.

Bontempelli was simply stunning for the Dogs, recording 33 disposals, two goals, and 16 score involvements, a performance for which Melbourne had no answer. Meanwhile Cody Weightman (12 disposals, two goals) was a constant danger, and Adam Treloar (30 disposals, two goals) impressed in his 250th career game.

For large periods of the game, it was Gawn or bust for Melbourne. His relentless work in the ruck, and then contesting in the air across the ground, was at times the only thing going the Demons' way.

Unfortunately, not enough of his teammates were able to come to the party.

The Bulldogs simply dominated the midfield battle, winning it at the contest and then following up with devastating spread. Their strength was reflected in the disposal count of 369-315.

They broke Melbourne's attempts to tackle with ease, leaving their opponents in their wake as they drove forward. It kept Melbourne's defence under plenty of pressure, often caught in an outnumber because of the speed with which the Dogs were attacking.

Melbourne's backline was further strained with a rib injury to Steven May causing him to be subbed out at half-time.

The door remained open for the Dees longer than it should have, however, given the Bulldogs' poor conversion in front of goal. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked two goals from eight scores, but nevertheless, he was still a serious threat inside 50, leaping beautifully at the footy.

The Bulldogs will next meet Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday 11 August.

FOOTSCRAY     4.7    6.13    11.17   15.20 (110)
MELBOURNE                  1.1     5.1       7.3       9.5 (59)

GOALS
Footscray: Weightman 2, Treloar 2, Ugle-Hagan 2, Bontempelli 2, Naughton 2, Williams, Poulter, Richards, Darcy, English
Melbourne: Fritsch 2, Sparrow 2, Pickett 2, Gawn, Rivers, Woewodin

BEST 
Footscray: Bontempelli, Treloar, Liberatore, Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Dale
Melbourne: Gawn, Van Rooyen, Neal Bullen, Rivers

INJURIES 
Footscray: N/A
Melbourne: May (ribs)

SUBSTITUTES 
Footscray: Caleb Daniel (replaced Tom Liberatore at three-quarter time)
Melbourne: Daniel Turner (replaced Steven May at half time)

Crowd: 33,000 at Marvel Stadium