THE WESTERN Bulldogs’ push for a top-four finish has been boosted significantly after the Dogs feasted on a listless Melbourne outfit on Sunday.
The Bulldogs battered the Demons in a ferocious first half, and despite a third-quarter lull, secured an impressive 98-point win at Etihad Stadium.
The final score was 24.9 (153) to 8.7 (55).
The percentage-boosting victory lifted Luke Beveridge’s men to fourth on the ladder, above the Sydney Swans, with three rounds remaining in the home and away season.
In a blistering assault, the Bulldogs scored the first 12 goals of the match before the Demons managed a drought-breaking major in the 16th minute of the second quarter.
Paul Roos' side did well to fight back with a five-goals-to-nil third quarter but that resistance proved short-lived as the Dogs rolled to a crushing victory.
The Bulldogs had winners all over the ground with Luke Dahlhaus, Lachie Hunter and Mitch Wallis impressive on the ball, while Jake Stringer led the way with four goals in an attack that had 12 different goalkickers.
Jarrad Grant did the damage early with three first-quarter goals as the rampant Dogs ran rings around Melbourne.
The Demons were as deplorable as the Bulldogs were impressive, with missed tackles, skill errors and a lack of run allowing the opposition to do largely as they pleased.
A 49-point lead at the first break blew out to 74 when Stringer slotted his first goal in the ninth minute of the second term, but with a record demolition in the offing, Melbourne found first gear.
Successive goals stemmed the bleeding and set up a stunning reversal in the third quarter.
Led by Nathan Jones and Bernie Vince, the Demons lifted their work rate and applied greater pressure on the Dogs, who didn't handle the slower game tempo.
Melbourne booted five goals while the Bulldogs reorganised themselves to slash the margin to 42 points but normal transmission resumed in the final term.
Luke Beveridge's side slipped back into top gear and piled on 10 goals to the fading Demons' one to put an exclamation point on an impressive display.
Jake Stringer tries to burst past Viv Michie during Sunday's huge win. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.3 14.5 14.7 24.9 (153)
MELBOURNE 0.2 2.4 7.7 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 4, Grant 3, Bontempelli 3, Dickson 3, Crameri 2, Jong 2, Redpath 2, Wallis, Macrae, Hunter, Dahlhaus, Biggs
Melbourne: Hogan 3, Garlett 2, Gawn, Dawes, Watts
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus, Wallis, Boyd, Grant, Stringer, Hunter, Macrae, Murphy
Melbourne: McDonald, Viney, Watts, Michie
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Melbourne: Neville Jetta (neck)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel replaced Sam Darley at three-quarter time
Melbourne: Jack Grimes replaced Neville Jetta at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Pannell, Mitchell, Wallace
Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium
