MELBOURNE almost lost the unloseable match at the MCG on Saturday night but they held on against the Western Bulldogs to win their second game for the season by three points.     

The Demons led by 44 points after 13 minutes of the final term, but they conceded the last seven goals of the game as the Bulldogs nearly pulled off a robbery. 

The final score was 15.13 (103) to 15.10 (100), with the Demons winning their first match against the Bulldogs since 2007, ending a six-game losing streak against their opponents. 

Melbourne went back to basics and played the best football of its dire season for the first three quarters before the Bulldogs released the shackles.    

The progression to a new look under Neil Craig was obvious in the caretaker coach's second game in charge.  

The Demons kicked long, used the corridor and played on at every chance and when they didn't have the ball, every player had a man. 

Jack Watts stood up, kicking a career-best four goals and taking a match-saving intercept mark in defence in the dying moments as the Bulldogs went forward. 

Craig would have been delighted with a number of his young players, with Dean Terlich (24 disposals), co-captain Jack Trengove (21) and Mitch Clisby (18) all impressive.    

Tom McDonald and James Frawley gave the backline stability while Nathan Jones continued his superb season with 26 disposals and six clearances.  

The Bulldogs' youngsters have shown their worth this season, but Saturday night's performance was a step backwards, despite the belated comeback. 

Tom Liberatore fought a lone hand in the midfield, finishing with 36 possessions (17 contested), 12 clearances and 11 inside 50s in a best-on-ground performance. 

Veteran Daniel Giansiracusa started the game after being the substitute for his last four games, kicking three goals, while Robert Murphy added his usual class behind the ball.    

Midfielders Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen became more involved in the final term as the Bulldogs ran rampant, with Ayce Cordy kicking a goal to draw the margin to two points with less than two minutes remaining.