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.
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.
Bayley Fritsch (13 disposals, two goals) did prove handy when the Dees found clean possession in the front half, and Jacob Van Rooyen (13 disposals, six tackles) worked hard, but opportunities were few and far between given the side's 39 inside 50s to the Dogs’ 65.
With the loss Melbourne are now two games outside of the top eight with the remainder of the round still to play.
The May concern
After a bone-crunching contest in the second quarter, star Melbourne defender Steven May was struggling. He was determined to stay on the ground, but looked at by medical staff on-field twice before being taken into the rooms. Unfortunately for Melbourne, he didn't return to the ground, subbed out of the game at half-time and taken to hospital. It is the second time this year the Demon has dealt with the injury, after he played through two cracked ribs earlier in the season.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.7 6.13 11.17 15.20 (110)
MELBOURNE 1.1 5.1 7.3 9.5 (59)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: 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
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Treloar, Liberatore, Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Dale
Melbourne: Gawn, Van Rooyen, Neal Bullen, Rivers
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore (right ankle)
Melbourne: May (ribs)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel (replaced Tom Liberatore at three-quarter time)
Melbourne: Daniel Turner (replaced Steven May at half time)
Crowd: 33,000 at Marvel Stadium
