AFL 2022, round one, grand final rematch: Demons down Dogs in engrossing MCG clash
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FULL-TIME: Demons outmuscle Dogs in grand final rematch
Reigning premiers Melbourne have scored another win over the Western Bulldogs in a captivating grand final rematch, storming way in the final quarter to clinch a 26-point victory at the MCG.
Demons, Dogs playing out a belter
Two of the Bulldogs' top names in Marcus Bontempelli and Aaron Naughton gave their side the first two goals of the final quarter, but the reigning premiers have struck back with consecutive majors of their own.
Melbourne lead 12.11 (83) to 10.5 (65) with eight minutes left on the clock, after Max Gawn and James Harmes found a goal each.
This grand final rematch has lived up to its hype and a heart-stopping conclusion could be yet to come.
THREE-QUARTER TIME: Demons charge to final-change lead
It wasn't quite the third-quarter destruction that demolished the Bulldogs in last year's grand final, but the Demons piled on four goals to the opposition's zero to open up a 10.6 (66) to 8.5 (53) lead at the final change.
Can the Dogs fight their way back from this?
GOAL: Grand final hero steals back lead for Demons
Six-goal grand final hero Bayley Fritsch has nailed a set shot four minutes into the third term to pinch the lead back for Melbourne.
Simon Goodwin's men have a three-point buffer.
GOAL: Big Ben boots a third
Melbourne spearhead Ben Brown has slotted his third goal early in the second half, steering through a banana from the left-forward pocket.
"That was very nicely executed by the big man," Brian Taylor says on Fox Footy.
"He's the full-forward and he's not letting anyone down."
The Dogs lead the Demons 8.3 (51) to 7.6 (48) in the MCG clash.
HALF-TIME: Dogs surge to take half-time lead
The Demons grabbed the last two goals of the second quarter, but not before an eight-goal Dogs barrage catapulted the 2021 runner-ups into the lead.
Luke Beveridge's men lead Melbourne 8.3 (51) to 6.6. (42) at the main break.
The Dogs were smashed at the contest in the first quarter but treated the Demons to a hammering around the ball in the second, as Melbourne's depleted backline struggled to handle a barrage of forward-50 entries.
Reigning Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca is topping the disposals tally with 20, while the Dogs' Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith and Jack Macrae are all sitting on 17.
Dogs key forward Aaron Naughton has booted a game-high three goals.
"Unbelievable first half of footy," Garry Lyon says on the Fox Footy broadcast.
Dogs rock Demons with 'electric burst'
The Bulldogs have run in eight goals in succession across the first and second terms to establish an 8.3 (51) to 4.5 (29) buffer.
Aaron Naughton, whose importance to the Dogs has sky-rocketed due to Josh Bruce's absence, has snared three goals in this quarter.
James Brayshaw has described the Dogs' second-quarter blitz as an "electric burst".
QUARTER-TIME: Demons up at the first break
Melbourne have taken a 4.5 (29) to 2.2 (14) lead into the quarter-time break.
GOAL: Siren controversy sours MCG clash
The Dogs have snuck in two late goals to settle the damage of the Demons' first-term dominance, but the second major came in controversial scenes.
Cody Weightman was awarded a free kick and nailed the ensuing set shot after the siren to cut the deficit to 15 points at the first break, but he may have been pushed after the siren.
"Melbourne fans hate it," James Brayshaw says on Fox Footy.
"They thought the siren beat it, but the umpire's got to hear the siren.
"They'll take everything they can get."
GOAL: Dogs hit the board!
The Dogs have clinched their first goal of the game with just under 70 seconds left in the first term.
A late addition of Melbourne's, Hayden Crozier, is the man.
"In a time of great need," says Brian Taylor on Fox Footy.
