First quarter: Melbourne 2.2 (14) to West Coast Eagles 2.1 (13)
The match started in rainy conditions, but cleared up as the quarter progressed.
Melbourne attacked early and managed the opening two goals via Jeff Garlett and Matt Jones.
The red and blue was impressive with its contested work and started promisingly.
It wasn’t until the 19-minute mark when West Coast kicked its first goal via Matt Priddis.
And when Liam Duggan snapped the home side’s second minutes later, Melbourne led by just one point at quarter-time.
Second quarter: Melbourne 5.3 (33) to West Coast Eagles 5.2 (32)
Melbourne replicated its first quarter start with the opening two majors of the second term.
Garlett bagged his second and Chris Dawes capitalised some brilliant work from Christian Petracca further up the field to put Melbourne up by 13 points.
Scott Lycett kicked West Coast’s first for the term at the eight-minute mark and when Josh Kennedy kicked two in quick succession, the home side led by a goal.
But when Nathan Jones hit Petracca with a beautiful pass, the young gun kicked his first to level the scores at the 22-minute mark.
A rushed behind and a Bernie Vince followed, giving Melbourne a two-point advantage at half-time.
Third quarter: Melbourne 8.10 (58) to West Coast Eagles 8.4 (52)
Goals were hard to come by early in the second half, as Melbourne peppered the sticks without converting.
The red and blue posted five of the first six behinds, before Garlett secured his third for the match at the 16-minute mark.
It started a goal-for-goal trend: Kennedy landed his third for West Coast, Dawes responded with his second and then Jack Darling kicked truly for the home side.
But when Jamie Cripps made it two in a row for the Eagles, they were back in front by a point.
A Garlett behind leveled the scores and when Dean Kent kicked his first at the 29-minute mark, Melbourne led by a goal at three quarter-time.
Final quarter: West Coast Eagles 10.6 (66) d Melbourne 8.12 (60)
West Coast leveled the scores when Andrew Gaff kicked the first goal of the final term.
And when Josh Hill made it two in a row for the Eagles, they hit the front by a goal.
Melbourne had the opportunity to regain the lead, but missed again via Kent and Watts.
In the end, no further goals were kicked and the Eagles managed to hold on to win by six points.
It was a gusty effort by Melbourne, but some missed opportunities proved costly in the finish.
