Western Bulldogs finally got off the mark http://www.flickr.com/photos/spola1/

MELBOURNE                   1.5   3.8     7.10     9.13   (67)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.2   6.5    10.7   13.10   (88)

 

The Western Bulldogs have claimed their first win for 2012, accounting for Melbourne in a fiery contest by 21 points at the MCG.

In what was a tribute game for the late Jim Stynes, Melbourne certainly showed some fight, but again fell short. Another worry for the Demons will be the health of one of their shining lights this season, Mitch Clark.

Clark was taken to hospital in a neck brace after taking a heavy fall from a big leap in the final quarter.

Adam Cooney was outstanding for the Bulldogs, amassing 25 disposals and 2 goals in a game reminiscent of his 2008 season form.

The first quarter gave no illusions that these were two struggling teams on show. Ryan Griffen provided the first real instance of class to give the Bulldogs their first goal.

The Demons finally responded through new recruit Mitch Clark however, their inaccuracy prevented them from taking control of the fixture. Instead, two goals to the Dogs saw the margin at 9 points at quarter-time.

Aaron Davey made sure that the Demons had the best possible start to the second, kicking his first goal for the day. The Dogs responded well though, kicking the next 3 goals to skip out to a 20-point margin.

A goal on the siren to Matthew Bate at least gave the Demons something to take into half-time although they still trailed the Dogs by 15 points at the major break.

A quick goal to begin the third quarter to Liam Jones extended the margin back out to a game-high 21 points and the game looked like going to the Dogs.

The Demons finally clicked though on an emotional occasion Melbourne and they kicked the next 3 goals to bring the margin back to within 1 point.

However, the Dogs kept the scoreboard ticking over and kicked the last 2 of the quarter to lead by 15 at the final change.

The Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to further extend their lead and seal the win.

While a divine goal from Davey brought a little bit of edge back in to the game, that was short-lived as the Bulldogs delivered McCartney his first win as senior coach by a relatively comfortable 21 points.

The Bulldogs will meet GWS in Canberra next Saturday while Melbourne face St Kilda on Saturday night at the MCG.

Votes:

3. Adam Cooney

2. Daniel Cross

1.  Luke Dahlhaus

MELBOURNE                        1.5   3.8     7.10     9.13   (67)
WESTERN BULLDOGS        3.2   6.5    10.7   13.10   (88)

GOALS:
Melbourne: Bate 2, Davey 2, Clark, Bail, Watts, Moloney, Morton
Western Bulldogs: Cooney 2, Grant 2, Giansiracusa 2, Griffen, Dahlhaus, Sherman, Jones, Djerrkura, Roughead, Wallis

BEST:
Melbourne: Magner, Bate, Jones, Rivers, Howe
Western Bulldogs: Cross, Murphy, Dahlhaus, Cooney, Djerrkura

INJURIES:
Melbourne: Clark (neck)
Western Bulldogs: Markovic (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Austin

SUBSTITUTES:
Melbourne: Luke Tapscott replaced Mitch Clark at three-quarter-time.
Western Bulldogs: Shaun Higgins replaced Ayce Cordy at three-quarter-time.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Wenn, Armstrong, Bannister