First quarter: WB 3.2 (20) to Melb 2.2 (14)

After a spectacular build up to the match – where the Field of Women Pink Lady featured on the MCG – the Bulldogs got off to the stronger start.

The visitors kicked the first two goals to claim a 14-point lead early in the match.  

James Frawley opened Melbourne’s account at the 18-minute mark and by quarter-time, the Demons had reeled the margin back to just one goal, after Chris Dawes landed his side’s second just quarter-time.

Second quarter: WB 5.7 (37) to Melb 5.5 (35)

Bulldog Stewart Crameri had a couple to his name after opening the second term, but the pendulum soon swung Melbourne’s way.  

The Demons booted three of the next four goals to trail by just two points at half-time.

Daniel Cross, Cam Pedersen and Jay Kennedy-Harris all contributed majors, with Pedersen’s goal a beauty – after he worked tirelessly to snag a gem with his second effort.

Third quarter: Melb 10.6 (66) to WB 9.7 (61)

Kennedy-Harris put the Demons in front for the first time when he kicked truly, two minutes into the second half.

But the Bulldogs quickly hit back with a couple and managed to hang onto the lead until the 26-minute mark, when Bernie Vince landed his first.

The Dogs again answered and regained the advantage when Will Minson registered a goal, but when Frawley booted his second for the match at the 31-minute mark – the Demons held a five-point lead at three quarter-time.

Final quarter: Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) d Melbourne 12.11 (83)

The Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the final term, grabbing a seven-point lead in a nail-biting period.

But when Dom Tyson kicked a booming goal at the 17-minute mark, the Demons were back in front.

Yet two in a row from Crameri, who finished with four for the night, and Jason Tutt's second for the term sealed a 16-point win for the Bulldogs.