THE WESTERN Bulldogs have won a thrilling encounter against Melbourne at Telstra Dome, holding on in the frantic final minutes to win by six points.

The final score of 16.16 (112) to 16.10 (106) exemplified a flowing game full of momentum shifts, in which the lead changed eight times in the last quarter.

Jason Akermanis nabbed one back to give the Bulldogs some breathing space, but back-to-back goals gave Melbourne the lead for the first time since the second quarter.

The Dogs continued to press, forcing the ball forward. Ryan Griffen narrowly missed a shot at goal, but the disappointment of his miss was erased when Ryan Hargrave weaved through a congested forward line to goal and put them six points up.

After some back and forth play and a goal to David Neitz, Nathan Eagleton – in his 200th game – caused the crowd to erupt with a massive goal from outside 50 to regain the lead for the Dogs once more at the 22-minute mark.

Dogs supporters may have given up hope when Colin Sylvia kicked his third from a shot 20 metres out with just minutes to play.

But skipper Brad Johnson heroically snatched the lead back with his fourth goal when the ball went down the other end, and his team was able to hang on until the siren.

The Dogs had to overcome a slow start to the match, with the Demons controlling the opening term.

Melbourne led by 11 points before Daniel Giansiracusa kicked a settling goal from a free kick.

The quarter then went goal for goal until the Demons went up a gear in the final minutes, with goals to Brad Green and Colin Sylvia – the latter on the siren – pushing their lead to 12 points.

The Bulldogs defenders were kept under pressure as the Demons continued to push forward, but Melbourne was somewhat wasteful in front of goal and the Dogs sensed their hesitance.

They went up a notch, running harder and making great use of the centre corridor to kick five unanswered majors and push out to a 17-point lead.

In the second half, the momentum again changed. Melbourne came out on fire and kicked three successive goals to reduce the Bulldogs’ lead to one point.

The Demons could have snared a few more but were unable to make the most of their chances in front of goal.

This, along with much-needed goals to Mitch Hahn and Adam Cooney helped the Bulldogs restore their half-time lead going into the thrilling final term.

Western Bulldogs 4.1 10.5 12.12 16.16 (112)

Melbourne 6.1 7.6 10.9 16.10 (106)

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Johnson 4, Hahn 2, Higgins 2, Cross, Gilbee, Eagleton, Giansiracusa, Darcy, Cooney, Akermanis, Hargrave
Melbourne: Sylvia 3, Davey 3, Yze 2, Green 2, Bate, Neitz, Dunn, Johnstone, Bell, White

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Johnson, Cross, Gilbee, Harris, Giansiracusa, Eagleton
Melbourne: Davey, Johnstone, Sylvia, White, Bruce, Yze

INJURIES

Western Bulldogs: Nil.
Melbourne: Rivers (back) replaced in selected side by Holland, Miller (ankle), Carroll (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: S McLaren D Sully M Head

Official Crowd: 24,584 at Telstra Dome