Quarter-time: Melbourne 0.4.2 (26) to Western Bulldogs 0.2.0 (12) 

Melbourne got its JLT Series off to a flyer when Christian Petracca kicked truly a minute in.

But the Bulldogs quickly answered via key recruit Travis Cloke, who opened his account in the red, white and blue.

And when Luke Dahlhaus made it two in a row for the Dogs, they led by five points.

But Melbourne took control in the latter part of the term, kicking three in succession to lead by 14 points at the first break. Jesse Hogan, Max Gawn and Jack Viney were the goalkickers.

Viney was the leading ball-winner in the first quarter with 10 touches.

Second quarter: Melbourne 0.8.3 (51) to Western Bulldogs 1.6.3 (48)

Melbourne continued to hold sway early in the second term when it booted three of the opening four goals.

Although the Bulldogs’ major during that period was a nine-pointer from Cloke, Melbourne broke away to a 22-point lead at the 13-minute mark after goals came via Sam Weideman, Tom Bugg and Nathan Jones.

However, when Dahlhaus kicked his second for the match, it was the start of four in eight minutes by the Dogs.

And when Caleb Daniel kicked truly at the 26-minute mark, the home side hit the front by three points.

But when Weideman landed his second a minute later, Melbourne reclaimed the lead by three points at half-time.

Third quarter: Melbourne 0.12.5 (77) to Western Bulldogs 1.8.4 (61)

With the game evenly poised entering the second half, Melbourne took the edge in the third term, booting four goals to two.

At three quarter-time, Melbourne led by 16 points.

Hogan kicked two to have three by the final change, as Alex Neal-Bullen kicked truly at the 14-minute mark and Angus Brayshaw landed the last before three quarter-time.

Lachie Hunter and Toby McLean registered majors for the Dogs.

Jordan Lewis had a game-high 20 touches entering the final term.

Final quarter: Melbourne 0.14.8 (92) d Western Bulldogs 2.9.14 (86)

Hogan continued his fine game, booting his fourth for the match to start the final term. From there, six behinds were registered, including five from the Bulldogs.

And when Jeff Garlett ran into an open goal, Melbourne was soon up by 25 points.

But when Hunter booted his second and Jason Johannisen landed a super goal – the Bulldogs had clawed their way back to a goal.

But when Jake Spencer marked deep in defence and the final siren sounded, Melbourne held on for a one-goal victory.

Lewis, in his first official game for Melbourne, finished with a match-high 28 touches. Bernie Vince also collected 26 touches.