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Fighting Western Bulldogs leave Melbourne winless
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BRENDAN McCartney got his first win as Western Bulldogs coach as Melbourne's nightmare start to the season continued at the MCG last night.
The Demons put in their most spirited performance of the season in what was a tribute game to late Demons legend Jim Stynes, but left the MCG with new coach Mark Neeld still to taste success.
Weight of possession eventually told as the Dogs ran out 13.10 (88) to 9.13 (67) winners in front of 33,565 fans.
"We've had a tough three weeks, but when you look back through that the first few weeks, we did a lot right, didn't take some opportunities and lost the game," McCartney said.
"It happens in footy. I know a lot of our supporters were disappointed, but often that's a learning experience, too."
The Bulldogs led at every change as Robert Murphy (24 possessions) did as he pleased off half-back.
Jarrad Grant, Daniel Giansiracusa and Adam Cooney each kicked two goals, but Luke Dahlhaus (23 disposals, one goal) was the Dogs' spark up forward.
Trailing by 15 points at halftime, Melbourne clawed back to within a point during a fiery third quarter but, with 367 to 274 possessions for the match, the Bulldogs were always in the box seat to end their winless start.
Lukas Markovic was a late withdrawal, replaced by former Blue Mark Austin, leaving the Dogs without their best four defenders in the absence of Brian Lake, Dale Morris and Tom Williams.
Jordan Roughead played an unfamiliar stopping role on Melbourne key forward Mitch Clark who kicked 1.2, but left the field late in the third quarter after landing on the back of his neck after a sickening marking contest.
Ryan Hargrave negated James Sellar, Easton Wood held Jack Watts to 12 possessions and one goal and Murphy had the best of Aaron Davey.
Hargrave could come under match review panel scrutiny today for an incident with Lynden Dunn.
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BRENDAN McCartney got his first win as Western Bulldogs coach as Melbourne's nightmare start to the season continued at the MCG last night.
The Demons put in their most spirited performance of the season in what was a tribute game to late Demons legend Jim Stynes, but left the MCG with new coach Mark Neeld still to taste success.
Weight of possession eventually told as the Dogs ran out 13.10 (88) to 9.13 (67) winners in front of 33,565 fans.
"We've had a tough three weeks, but when you look back through that the first few weeks, we did a lot right, didn't take some opportunities and lost the game," McCartney said.
"It happens in footy. I know a lot of our supporters were disappointed, but often that's a learning experience, too."
The Bulldogs led at every change as Robert Murphy (24 possessions) did as he pleased off half-back.
Jarrad Grant, Daniel Giansiracusa and Adam Cooney each kicked two goals, but Luke Dahlhaus (23 disposals, one goal) was the Dogs' spark up forward.
Trailing by 15 points at halftime, Melbourne clawed back to within a point during a fiery third quarter but, with 367 to 274 possessions for the match, the Bulldogs were always in the box seat to end their winless start.
Lukas Markovic was a late withdrawal, replaced by former Blue Mark Austin, leaving the Dogs without their best four defenders in the absence of Brian Lake, Dale Morris and Tom Williams.
Jordan Roughead played an unfamiliar stopping role on Melbourne key forward Mitch Clark who kicked 1.2, but left the field late in the third quarter after landing on the back of his neck after a sickening marking contest.
Ryan Hargrave negated James Sellar, Easton Wood held Jack Watts to 12 possessions and one goal and Murphy had the best of Aaron Davey.
Hargrave could come under match review panel scrutiny today for an incident with Lynden Dunn.
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