THE WESTERN Bulldogs have kept pace with the competition's top sides, claiming their sixth win of the season in defeating Melbourne by 32 points on Sunday afternoon.
In the Bulldogs' first expedition away from Etihad Stadium for 2016, and their first match at the MCG since last year's heartbreaking seven-point elimination final loss to Adelaide, they comprehensively outplayed a tired-looking Demons throughout the 17.12 (114) to 12.10 (82) victory.
Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore was dogged in his approach, equalling the AFL's tackles record with 19.
Liberatore, who also had 25 disposals and seven clearances, joined the Sydney Swans' Jude Bolton and North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell on the sought-after mark.
But it was the even contribution from his team across the board that would have pleased Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge the most.
Marcus Bontempelli (33 disposals and eight clearances) and Luke Dahlhaus (29 and seven tackles) proved devastating for the Dogs in tight at the contest. That allowed Lachie Hunter (34 touches) and Jack Macrae (27) to do the damage on the outside.
The Bulldogs kept in-form Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn to just six disposals and two marks, as Jordan Roughead and Tom Campbell consistently worked him over.
The defensive partnership of Fletcher Roberts and Dale Morris kept an off-target Jesse Hogan, who booted 1.3 for the day, on a tight leash.
Beveridge's men took a 22-point lead into half-time and did not let up after the major break, continuing to be first to the ball at the contest and then move it effectively going forward.
The Dogs smashed the No.4 ranked Demons in contested possessions (155-126) and they found multiple avenues to goal – a trademark of their attacking prowess.
Melbourne's lack of height in defence was exposed early in the contest as Jack Redpath bagged two goals in the opening quarter. The hard-working big man finished with three for the game and seven marks inside 50, while Jake Stringer chimed in with five majors of his own.
The Bulldogs continually sliced the Demons' zone defence open with precise kicking through the middle of the ground, and they made Melbourne pay for critical errors between the arcs.
In contrast, Melbourne's players were fumbly and reactionary and it had too many passengers.
Typically, Jack Viney gave his all to collect 25 disposals and lay 16 tackles, while Dom Tyson was a workhorse for his team-high 32 possessions.
To make matters worse for Melbourne, midfielder Bernie Vince was reported for rough conduct for a high bump on Bulldog Mitch Wallis in the second term.
Vince has already missed a week through suspension after being cited for striking in round three, and his experience and class would be desperately missed should the charge be upheld.
Lockdown defender Neville Jetta could also be in strife with the Match Review Panel after an errant elbow caught Bontempelli across the chin prior to half-time.
The Bulldogs continue to meet every challenge that is thrown at them, but Beveridge's side will find out where they really sit in the overall scheme of things when they run into the in-form Giants next week
Injury Room:
Melbourne: Tom Bugg came off the ground in the second term with a knee problem. He played out the game with strapping around his left knee and did not appear to be too distressed.
Western Bulldogs: Jake Stringer suffered a corked calf for the second week running, but did not allow the injury to bother him and was one of the stars of the Bulldogs' win. Fletcher Roberts copped a high hit at the start of the third term but came back on to play a pivotal role on Hogan.
Next Up:
Inconsistency continues to hinder Melbourne but it will have the chance to right the ship against the struggling Brisbane Lions at the MCG next Sunday. The Dogs face a stern challenge for their first interstate trip this season when they tackle a blazing Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
MELBOURNE 2.2 5.5 7.9 12.10 (82)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.5 8.9 12.10 17.12 (114)
GOALS
Melbourne: Watts 3, Kennedy 2, Garlett 2, Viney, Petracca, Oliver, McDonald, Hogan
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 5, Redpath 3, Picken 2, Dickson 2, McLean, Liberatore, Wallis, Dale, Hunter
BEST
Melbourne: Viney, Tyson, Stretch, Kennedy, McDonald
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, Dahlhaus, Boyd, Picken, Stringer
INJURIES
Melbourne:
Western Bulldogs: Stringer (corked calf), Roberts (head), Roughead (shoulder)
Reports: Bernie Vince reported for rough conduct
Umpires: Schmitt, Findlay, Wallace
Official crowd: 39,921 at the MCG
