The Demons prevailed, 17.10 (112) to 13.14 (92), after receiving a late scare when the Eagles cut a 25-point lead to just 15 midway through the final term.
The win came three days after the Demons learned their president Jim Stynes was battling cancer.
Stynes watched the match from his hospital bed after undergoing major surgery following Thursday's announcement of his health battle.
While the four premiership points weren't enough to lift the Demons from the bottom of the ladder, the win would have brought a smile to the ailing club legend’s face.
Meanwhile, the Eagles extended their interstate losing streak to 18 straight games. They have not won on the road since round 21, 2007, and not at the MCG since round five of that year.
Brock McLean (28 touches, four clearances) and Jack Grimes (29 disposals) were brilliant for their side, while Mark Jamar was influential with 29 hitouts in his first game since round 11.
For the Eagles – who were missing Dean Cox (groin) and Daniel Kerr (soreness) –Quinten Lynch was best with 26 touches, Mitch Brown was terrific against Matthew Bate and Josh Kennedy strong in attack for four goals.
Melbourne kicked accurately in the first quarter but was made to pay for turnovers and free kicks in its defensive half.
The Demons didn't register a behind until defender Stefan Martin, who played in attack, hit the post late in the term after they kicked six goals straight.
However, free kicks for undisciplined acts – one from Colin Sylvia and one from Aaron Davey – both resulted in goals to the Eagles earlier in the quarter.
The home side was also troubled by simple turnovers, with the Eagles kicking 1.1 from direct mistakes within scoring range.
Some handy ruck work from Jamar against Nic Naitanui – who had just one first-term tackle and no possessions – combined with intense pressure at the ball-carrier and a narrow lead in the clearances gave the Demons a seven-point lead at quarter-time.
Adam Selwood entered the second term as the game's highest goal scorer after recovering from an early injured ankle, but the Eagles were down a player after Brett Jones was sidelined with a hamstring.
The Eagles moved Lynch into the ruck, which had an immediate effect and helped his side improve at the clearances throughout the quarter.
Chad Fletcher and Brad Ebert made sure the Eagles had enough chances going forward but things went awry once the ball got there.
Despite winning the inside 50s 27 to 21 in the first half, the Demons made more of their forward opportunities.
By halftime, Melbourne had five players with two goals each and had registered 11 goals from 13 scoring shots.
Sylvia made amends for his first-quarter lapses in discipline with a brilliant 60m goal at the 14-minute mark, followed by Liam Jurrah's second to extend the margin to 24 points.
With McLean leading the disposal count with 16, Brent Moloney setting a strong example around the ball and Jamar dominating, the Demons took an 18-point lead into the second half after Chris Masten snuck through for a late goal.
It took just 20 seconds for the Demons to get their first goal of the third, with Martin marking and converting without an Eagle touching the ball.
After a few sprayed shots by the visitors, the second major also went Melbourne's way with Robertson contributing his third to open up a 28-point lead.
The Eagles rallied and kicked the next two through Mark LeCras and Kennedy, but the Demons responded again through Nathan Jones and Davey.
As the term wound down, the Eagles kicked another two to the Demons' one and the visitors trailed by 24 points at three-quarter time.
The Demons picked a bad time for their accuracy to desert them as they shanked four shots on goal in the fourth.
But some tenacity and a late major to Robertson kept the Eagles at bay with the majority of the hard work already complete.
Melbourne will now host Port Adelaide at the MCG next Sunday while West Coast will play St Kilda at Subiaco later that day.
Melbourne 6.1 11.2 16.6 17.10 (112)
West Coast 4.6 7.8 11.12 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Melbourne: Robertson 4, Petterd 2, Jurrah 2, Bate 2, Green 2, Sylvia, Martin, Jones, Davey, Jamar
West Coast: Kennedy 4, LeCras 3, A. Selwood 2, Butler, Wirrpanda, Masten, Spangher
BEST
Melbourne: McLean, Grimes, Bruce, Jamar, Green, Moloney, Davey, Sylvia
West Coast: Lynch, Brown, Kennedy, Hurn, Masten, Embley, A. Selwood, Cockie
INJURIES
Melbourne: Jones (lacerated head)
West Coast: Jones (hamstring)
Reports: Davey (Melbourne) for striking Masten (West Coast) in the first quarter by umpire Nicholls, Petterd (Melbourne) for abusive language in the first quarter by umpire Nicholls
Umpires: Donlon, Nicholls, Mollison
Official crowd: 23,149 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
