The Bulldogs restricted the Demons to just five second-half goals to record just their third win of what has otherwise been a disappointing season.
Led by gun forward Nathan Brown - who booted five goals - the 14.17 (101) – 12.8 (80) result breaks a run of four straight losses against Melbourne.
The midfield battle was won by the likes of Scott West, Rohan Smith and the resurgent Nathan Eagleton, who all got plenty of the ball and – more or less – used it well. Patrick Wiggins was also more than handy with three majors.
Derided as ‘the penetrable force versus the movable object’ during the week by some, on the night only one team – Melbourne – deserved either of those labels.
The Bulldogs came out with a fierce hunger and desire to, first and foremost, provide a contest. In the end, after a shaky opening, they did more that that. They strangled Melbourne with some tough defence against a taller side.
It is some credit to Steven Kretiuk and Robert Murphy that Melbourne coach Neale Daniher was forced to move his two most dangerous attacking options – David Neitz and Russell Robertson – out of the forward 50 to get them closer to the ball.
Neitz finished with three goals (all in the first half), while Cameron Bruce also kicked three.
The Bulldogs have shown an ability to run with the footy and link-up through the middle all year but crucially on this occasion the team combined that with a wonderfully committed defensive effort.
Melbourne was without a major from the 14-minute mark of the second term to just before the three-quarter time siren when Cameron Bruce marked and goaled inside 50.
That kick reduced the margin to just 23 points at the last change and when the Demons put through the first two of the final term, things were beginning to look shaky for a team that has built a reputation for letting games slip this season.
But Patrick Wiggins took a strong mark and made no mistake from a tight angle 20 metres out and as the match ticked into time-on spearhead Nathan Brown illustrated why all at the Whitten Oval are desperate for him to remain a Bulldog.
Brown’s fifth sealed the four points for the home side with a magnificent left foot snap from the boundary after gathering a loose ball from a marking contest and evading a tackle.
Bulldogs coach Peter Rohde plan for Melbourne’s twin forwards Neitz and Robertson was executed superbly by his players.
Robert Murphy did a sterling job on blanketing the dangerous Robertson, who was restricted to seven touches and importantly, just one mark to the long break.
Steven Kretiuk did concede Neitz three first-half goals but due to the Bulldogs’ ascendancy in general play, was shifted up the ground in the third term.
Ineffective up forward, Robertson too was taken out of attack and moved back into defence.
Ruckman Luke Darcy also blocked up space inside 50 and played a crucial role.
Earlier, Melbourne put through three of the first four goals to lead by 11 points. The margin was trimmed to just four but Neitz was paid a free-kick just before the quarter-time siren and goaled with a magnificent kick from the boundary.
The goal gave his team a 10-point edge at the first break and was a cruel blow for the Dogs, who were beginning to settle after a less-than-convincing opening.
Mid-way through the second term, when Adem Yze extended Melbourne’s lead to 14 points things started to look ominous for the Bulldogs.
But to their credit, they kicked the last three goals to half-time to lead by four points, the turnaround coming via a brave and courageous decision to run with the footy and move it quickly.
Melbourne’s wretched season continues, the team suffering its 13th loss
In the next round, Melbourne hosts Geelong at the MCG on Friday, while the Bulldogs are again at Telstra Dome to face Essendon on Sunday.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.6 7.8 11.11 14.17 (101)
MELBOURNE: 5.4 7.4 8.6 12.8 (80)
GOALS: Western Bulldogs: Brown 5, Wiggins 3, Johnson 2, Darcy, Dimattina, Eagleton, Hahn
Melbourne: Neitz 3, Bruce 2, Green, Heffernan, Johnstone, Robertson, White, Yze
BEST: Western Bulldogs: Brown, Darcy, West, Smith, Murphy, Johnson, Eagleton, Wiggins
Melbourne: Bruce, Bizzell, Brown, Carroll, Heffernan
INJURIES: Western Bulldogs: Smith (sprained ankle), Dimattina (cut eye)
UMPIRES: Coates, Rowe, McInerney
CROWD: 20,714 at Telstra Dome
