Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge used a 1950s boxing match to inspire his troops in a crucial Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with Melbourne on Saturday.

Despite taking some blows late in the second term, the Bulldogs counter-punched with a brutal burst of attacking football in the third quarter to set up a 28-point victory at Metricon Stadium. 

The Dogs kicked six goals from 10 inside 50s in the pivotal third quarter, keeping the Demons goalless, after trailing by seven points at half time.

Mitch Wallis kicked a career-high four goals (taking his season tally to 20), benefiting from another strong performance from the midfield group.

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in the win over Melbourne, for your chance to win a $20 McCafe VISA Card.

06:28

Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

Replay all the best moments from the Western Bulldogs' 28-point victory over Melbourne in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli was a star performer again with 22 touches (16 contested), a goal and five tackles, while Bailey Smith’s enormous season continued with 26 disposals and a goal.

Dashing defenders Jason Johannisen (21 possessions at 90% efficiency), Bailey Williams (19 disposals) and Caleb Daniel had a big say in the outcome, particularly in the defining third quarter.

The win was the Bulldogs’ second in a row, and seventh win of the year, ahead of a season-defining fortnight of games against Geelong and West Coast.

MATCH CENTRE | View player and team stats from the Bulldogs and Demons clash.

00:51

Mitch makes most of Dogs' slick hands

An intelligent piece of play from Lachie Hunter is followed up by a great kick from Marcus Bontempelli, and Mitch Wallis does the rest.

The Bulldogs started the game brightly and could have built a strong early lead if they capitalised on their inside 50 dominance in the first term (13-5).

The Demons were efficient when they went forward, as the teams went goal-for-goal in the second term, but the Dogs conceded the last two goals of the second quarter to trail by seven points at the long break as Melbourne got on top.

Bulldogs’ forward Josh Bruce was switched into the ruck during the second half and Tim English pushed forward, and English booted one of his team’s six majors from a strong contested mark as they surged to a match-winning lead.

Wallis’ fourth six-pointer, a brilliant mark and goal as Melbourne was mounting a charge in the fourth quarter, eased the nerves of Dogs’ fans as their team marched to victory.

INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY AUCTION | Bid now on the Western Bulldogs' match worn guernseys from the 2020 Sir Doug Nicholls Round victory over Melbourne. Proceeds to Indigenous programming.

All The Highlights & Interviews
  • 03:11

    Game Film | Dogs v Demons

    Take an inner sanctum look at the round 13 win over Melbourne on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 01:45

    Bailey Williams | 'This game was really important'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams following the Round 13 win against Melbourne on Saturday at the Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 01:59

    Bailey Smith | 'We'll keep backing the way we play'

    Hear from Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith following the Round 13 win against Melbourne on Saturday at the Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 06:28

    Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

    Replay all the best moments from the Western Bulldogs' 28-point victory over Melbourne in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

    AFL
  • 07:00

    Beveridge | 'A really important win for us'

    Watch Senior Coach Luke Beveridge review his side's 28-point victory over Melbourne, as he speaks to the media post match at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:23

    Enter the rooms, watch the song

    Watch the Western Bulldogs sing the team song in the rooms after their 28-point victory over Melbourne at Metricon Stadium in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

    AFL
  • 01:08

    Captain crashes in, launches coast to coast goal

    Marcus Bontempelli is hard in the contest, forcing a turnover which the Bulldogs pounce on and go coast-to-coast to score through Mitch Wallis.

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Cavarra's Carrara special seals it for Dogs

    A clever crumb and nice dribbler from Ben Cavarra effectively seals the Bulldogs victory over Melbourne.

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Mitch makes most of Dogs' slick hands

    An intelligent piece of play from Lachie Hunter is followed up by a great kick from Marcus Bontempelli, and Mitch Wallis does the rest.

    AFL
  • 01:17

    Shanks for the McLean finish

    Three shanked kicks in a row but the Western Bulldogs end up finishing the play through Toby McLean with their first goal of the afternoon.

    AFL
  • 03:28

    Match Committee | Round 13

    Jack Heverin and Terry Wallace bring you all the latest team selection news ahead of the Round 13 clash against Melbourne.

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Barkly Street EP 18 | The Astronaught

    In this week's episode of the Barkly Street Podcast, Bob Murphy and Marcus Bontempelli discuss Aaron Naughton's impact during the Round 12 win over Adelaide.

    AFL
  • 11:08

    Luke Beveridge | 'We haven't got any wriggle room'

    Hear from Luke Beveridge in the lead up to the Round 13 clash against Melbourne on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 02:00

    Barkly Street EP 18 | Racial vilification code of conduct

    In this week's episode of the Barkly Street Podcast, Michael McLean discusses his involvement during the establishment of the racial vilification code of conduct in 1995.

    AFL
  • 02:31

    Barkly Street EP 18 | McLean's experience with Racism

    In this week's episode of the Barkly Street Podcast, Michael McLean discusses what it was like to deal with racism at Footscray in the 1980's and the progress over time.

    AFL
  • 34:45

    Barkly Street EP 18 | 'Magic' McLean

    In the lead-up to the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Bulldogs' most accomplished Aboriginal player Michael 'Magic' McLean joins Bob Murphy and Marcus Bontempelli to recount his incredible playing career across two decades, and two clubs.

    AFL
  • 01:32

    Medical Room | Latest on English, Johannisen, Crozier.

    Hear the latest injury news on Tim English, Laitham Vandermeer, Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Hayden Crozier & Matt Suckling thanks to Elastoplast.

    AFL
  • 09:20

    Marcus Bontempelli | 'We've got to keep chasing those wins'

    Hear from Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli as he speaks to the media following the Round 12 win over Adelaide on Sunday at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL



MATCH DETAILS

Western Bulldogs            2.4          4.4          10.5        12.8 (80)

Melbourne                         1.3          5.5          5.8          7.10 (52)

 

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Wallis 4, McLean, Vandermeer, Liberatore, Bontempelli, Smith, Williams, English, Cavarra

Melbourne: Weideman 2, Melksham, Oliver, Fritsch, McDonald, Spargo


BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Smith, Wallis, Macrae, Hunter

Melbourne: May, Viney, Petracca, Weideman

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in the win over Melbourne, for your chance to win a $20 McCafe VISA Card.

 

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Melbourne: Sparrow (shoulder), Jones (quad) replaced in selected side by Hannan



AFL Round 13 | Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

The Bulldogs kicked six goals from 10 inside 50s in the pivotal third quarter to set-up a 28-point victory over Melbourne in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash at Metricon Stadium.
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