A COURAGEOUS Melbourne outfit has gone down fighting at the MCG, losing to the Dockers by 45 points.

The injury-hit Demons’ lack of depth and dwindling interchange bench eventually proved too great a hurdle, losing their fourth straight game, 21.11 (137) to 13.14 (92).

The undermanned Demons held their nerve in the first quarter before the Dockers took charge in the second to kick five goals to one to lead by 32 points at the long break.

Melbourne mounted a brave fightback in the third quarter to reduce Fremantle's lead to 22 points before the Dockers snuffed out the Demons’ surge to end the term with four consecutive goals.

Matthew Pavlich kicked six goals for the Dockers, while Des Headland slotted three.

Melbourne's top goalkickers were Brad Miller and Lynden Dunn with three majors each, while Adem Yze and James McDonald were prolific in the midfield.

The Demons loss was compounded by their lengthening injury list.

Melbourne lost midfielders Travis Johnstone and Brent Moloney before the bounce and added defender Matthew Whelan and on-baller Nathan Jones to their injury list by half-time, with the later on crutches after an apparent ankle injury in the second term.

Johnstone and Moloney were late withdrawals, while several others including Lynden Dunn were forced to play on with injuries.

Ten of Melbourne's best 22 players are now sidelined through injury.

FREMANTLE 5.2 10.5 17.8 21.11 (137)

MELBOURNE 3.5 4.9 9.11 13.14 (92)

Goals
Fremantle: M Pavlich 6, D Headland 3, L Webster 3, A Sandilands 2, C Tarrant 2, A Campbell, J Carr, R Crowley, D Gilmore, S McManus.
Melbourne: L Dunn 3, B Miller 3, A Davey 2, M Bate, M Jamar, J McDonald, B Pickett, A Yze.

Best
Fremantle: M Pavlich, D Headland, P Hasleby, J Carr, S McManus, A Sandilands.
Melbourne: A Yze, J McDonald, B Green, N Brown, A Davey, C Bruce.

Injuries
Fremantle: T Cook replaced in selected side by A Campbell.
Melbourne: T Johnstone (hamstring) replaced in selected side by C Sylvia, B Moloney (groin) replaced in selected side by M Bate, M Whelan (hamstring) N Jones (ankle) D Bell (concussion) N Brown (calf) P Wheatley (shoulder).

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: L Farmer, M Ellis, M Avon.

Official crowd: 16,654 at the MCG.