With a kid-friendly Sunday afternoon time slot, the Dees' Round 1 clash will be chock full of family friendly fun!

For information about our epic kids hub outside gate 3, head here!



MATCH DETAILS

MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Date: Sunday 17 March
Time: 1:00pm (AEDT)
Location: MCG | Wurundjeri

ROUND 1

Melbourne will host the Western Bulldogs at the MCG for the first home game of the 2024 AFL Season.

The last time these two teams met in Round 1 last year, Melbourne ended up on top by 50-points. 

TICKETING

Fans are encouraged to get down to Melbourne’s spiritual home of the MCG from 11:30am, when gates open, before the first bounce at 1:00pm. Tickets to the game can be found here.

Access members using mobile membership to enter the ground need to ensure they have the most up to date version of the app. If you do not, you may need to delete and re-download the app.

Log in to your account. If you are unsure of your password, click forgot password and follow the prompts. Save your tickets to your wallet for speedy entry.

Membership staff will be located at the ticket windows outside gate 3 until quarter time if you require assistance.

Memberships

Join the legion and show your Demon Spirit in 2024. Sign on as a Melbourne member today and enjoy the footy action live at the MCG. 

For those unable to attend, the game will be available to watch live via the Seven Network, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports. Dees supporters can currently access a Kayo x Melbourne membership deal here, with a 12-month subscription part of the package.





MATCH DAY INFORMATION

Public Transport

There are two train stations close to the MCG, Jolimont and Richmond.

To get to Jolimont station, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines from any railway station in the central business district.

To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.

Multiple tram routes also stop close to the stadium, including the 70 (via Melbourne Park light rail), the 48 and 75 (both Wellington Parade).


Parking in Yarra Park

General public parking is available for this match. General public parking operates on a first-in, best-dressed basis and is subject to capacity.

Parking costs $10, payable via EFTPOS upon arrival. 

Arrive early & expect delays

We are encouraging fans to arrive early to the MCG to ensure supporters are inside in time for the match start.

The entry process includes security bag checks, scanning of ticket and finding your spot to enjoy the game live.

We encourage supporters to download their ticket prior to their arrival at the MCG.

Local fun run "Run for the kids" may impact travel times so plan your journey to allow extra time for travel. Find more info and road closures here.





DEES KIDS' ZONE
 
Located between gates 2 & 3, is your one stop location for all things Melbourne, with fun for the whole family. Activations will operate from 11:00am to 1:30pm.

Face painting - Show your demon spirit and get your face painted before the game.

DJ - Dance along to your favourite tunes with our DJ.

Inflatables zone - Hand ball targets, agility course, climb and slide.

Rock climbing wall 

Photo opportunities - Coaches box photo opportunity and mascots roaming the area.

Membership hub - Visit our friendly membership team and sign up today.

Giveaways - Grab your exclusive match day poster and your round 1 sticker. Make some noise throughout the stadium with the foldable clapper noise posters.

Make sure you follow along and stomp your feet before the Dees enter the stadium to show your Demon Spirit.





FOLLOW THE GAME

Broadcast and streaming

The game will be broadcast nationally via Fox Footy and Kayo Sports from 1:00pm (AEDT).

Radio

Tune in on the below stations:
ABC
AFL Nation

Check the AFL Broadcast Guide for interstate and regional radio timings.

Match Centre

Get live scores, stats and highlights via the Demons Match Centre. Available on the website and mobile app.

Social Media

Follow us across social media for a behind-the-scenes insight on game day as well as live match updates as they happen.

Use the hashtags #AFLDeesDogs and #DemonSpirit to join the conversation.

Facebook: facebook.com/MelbourneFC
Twitter: @MelbourneFC
Instagram: @melbournefc
TikTok: @melbournefc

MELBOURNE has broken through for its first win of the season, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 45 points on Sunday afternoon.

Pressure had built on the Demons during the week after their shock Opening Round loss, but under the blazing sun at the MCG, the Demons looked to be back to their best in the 16.13 (109) to 9.10 (64) victory.

Midfielder Clayton Oliver was back to his best with 35 disposals, as was captain Max Gawn.

Melbourne's forward line looked dangerous with Kade Chandler (three goals), Jacob van Rooyen (three), Ben Brown (two), Kysaiah Pickett (two), and Alex Neal-Bullen (two) chipping in.

Marcus Bontempelli (25 touches and a goal) was arguably the Bulldogs' best early while Tom Liberatore (32 disposals, nine clearances) and Adam Treloar (31 disposals) were typically prolific.

Key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was lively but kicked 2.3.

High-profile Bulldog Caleb Daniel was relegated to the substitute role, and replaced impressive first-round pick Ryley Sanders in the third term.

The Bulldogs burst out of the blocks and picked Melbourne apart early, with Aaron Naughton and Ugle-Hagan kicking the opening two majors.

But Jack Viney's goal on the run settled Melbourne as Oliver entered the fray to a round of applause after five minutes.

The prolific midfielder got his hands on the ball at will, collecting 10 touches for the term to spark the Demons.

Melbourne hauled in the Bulldogs as the quarter progressed and Van Rooyen secured the lead just before quarter-time.

The Demons nudged out to a 19-point lead early in the second term but Cody Weightman goaled just before half-time to keep the Bulldogs within 12 points.

Melbourne still restored their lead back to 19 at the final change, then piled on the pain with a six-goal final term.

The Demons (1-1) play Hawthorn (0-1) at the MCG next Saturday while the Bulldogs (0-1) head to Ballarat to play Gold Coast (2-0) on Sunday.

Dogs deliver on debut
The Western Bulldogs unveiled two debutants on Sunday afternoon, with No.6 pick Ryley Sanders and 2022 No.39 pick Harvey Gallagher named in the starting 22. Gallagher kicked a goal in the first quarter and finished with nine disposals and two clearances, while Sanders showed plenty of spark with his 15 disposals and seven marks before he was subbed out in the third quarter.

Oliver back to his best
After spending the majority of the off-season training away from the club, many questioned what sort of form Clayton Oliver would be in early in the season. But the 26-year-old was back to his mesmerising best against the Bulldogs, shimmying away from tackles with ease to finish with 35 disposals, six clearances and 565m gained and received a huge ovation, which he later described as "emotional", when he came off near full-time.

MELBOURNE                  4.4    8.5   10.8    16.13 (109)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    4.3     6.5    7.7     9.10  (64)

GOALS
Melbourne: Chandler 3, Van Rooyen 3, Brown 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Pickett 2, Viney, Petracca, Billings, Salem
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 2, Naughton, Lobb, Gallagher, Bontempelli, Weightman, Bramble, West

BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, May, Billings
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Treloar, English, Johannisen

INJURIES
Melbourne: None
Western Bulldogs: None

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Taj Woewodin (replaced Caleb Windsor in the fourth quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel (replaced Ryley Sanders in the third quarter)