MELBOURNE clinched a seven-point win but it was the Western Bulldogs who could claim to have reaped the most from a Jekyll and Hyde NAB Challenge clash in Ballarat on Saturday.
The Demons dominated the opening half, but a combination of Paul Roos' men taking their foot off the pedal, and the Bulldogs lifting, produced a thrilling encounter.
From 45 points down at the main break the young and inexperienced Dogs – who had only booted one goal – surged to almost steal an upset win against a near full-strength Demons outfit.
Ultimately, a Jack Watts mark and goal in the square snuffed out their chances as the Dees held on for a 0.10.9 (69) to 0.9.8 (62) triumph, but rookie Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge rightly was very happy with his side's fightback.
"We learnt a couple of things today about ourselves and adjustments we may need to make from time to time," Beveridge said.
"We had to make some. They dominated on the scoreboard and in possession, there's no doubt about that.
"So we needed to change a couple of things, which credit to the boys they did really, really well."
The Dogs' young midfield sparked the turnaround, with Mitch Honeychurch, Marcus Bontempelli combining with veteran Matthew Boyd and ruckman Will Minson to drag their side back into it.
After pushing Fremantle nine days ago the Dees' confidence was sky-high at half-time and their flair in attack and polish by foot would have heartened supporters.
The positives from the contest included rejuvenated Jeff Garlett (two goals) and livewire Jay Kennedy-Harris (two) up forward in a new-look structure.
Chris Dawes and Jesse Hogan (one goal each) offered strong marking targets, while Watts ripped off the substitutes' vest and wasted no time getting involved after half-time in his first game for the year.
"(Sam) Frost we think adds a lot of speed down there, he's probably a more natural defender.
"Obviously Jeff (Garlett), we know what a quality player he is. We think if we can get the ball with a little bit more speed as we did in the first half, we've got some dangerous players.
"Jay Kennedy-Harris had a really good first half as well."
The Dogs – who had seven recruits playing their first games – too often rushed forward haphazardly once they won possession and turned the ball over entering their attacking 50m.
It played into the hands of Melbourne half-backs Christian Salem and Heritier Lumumba, who complemented each other beautifully launching attacks from backward of centre.
Turnovers killed Beveridge's side – who were hosting their first game at their second home in Ballarat – early on.
Kicking with a two-to-three goal breeze in the first term the Dogs were dominated in possession (128-42), while the Dees' patient build-up saw them take 58 uncontested marks to four and also won the inside 50 count 10-7.
Garlett slotted the only two majors of the first term, before Kennedy-Harris weaved through the Bulldogs' defence and hit-up Daniel Cross, who goaled in the first minute of the second quarter.
The floodgates were open and the sole highlight for the home team was Ayce Cordy's snap from nothing to spare the embarrassment of a goalless first half as they went to the rooms trailing by 45 points.
Only mature-age rookie recruit Aaron vandenBerg's head clash soured the first half for Melbourne, with the 188cm Demon having to be helped from the field with blood pouring from a wound.
Astonishingly the young Dogs turned it around after the main break, booting seven goals to one to nearly snatch a nail-biting win.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Western Bulldogs: It was all about getting a look at some young guns with so many senior players on the sidelines and Mitch Honeychurch showed encouraging signs with limited support in midfield. Honeychurch managed to play three senior games last year, but should see more of the big time in 2015. He was nominated as a potential replacement for Tom Liberatore during the week by Dale Morris and he did his round one chances no harm.
Melbourne: The Demons' new-look forward line could cause a few headaches next season. It was only the NAB Challenge and they were up against an inexperienced side, but the combination of Chris Dawes and Jesse Hogan in key positions, with Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris swooping at their feet, and Jack Watts roaming across half-forward looked dangerous – especially with the time and space they were afforded in the first half.
NEW FACES
Western Bulldogs: The Dogs' first draft pick Toby McLean covered the ground well and showed some class in possession. Former Hawks defender Jordan Kelly found it tough going with limited supply up forward. Midfielder Bailey Dale ran himself from contest-to-contest through midfield, while Caleb Daniel burrowed in across half-forward and Lukas Webb showed some promise. Declan Hamilton and Roarke Smith would have soaked up the experience against a near full-strength team.
Melbourne: Former Pies defender Heritier Lumumba was everywhere early mopping up and linking up with his trademark run. Jeff Garlett was lively and booted the opening two goals into the wind, while Sam Frost played in a new role in attack but showed electric pace to save a possible goal in a chase. Aaron vandenBerg suffered a cut head after a first-quarter clash and Ben Newton found plenty of the footy in an encouraging display.
Marcus Bontempelli takes the ball away in heavy traffic. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.0.1 0.1.1 0.4.4 0.9.8 (62)
MELBOURNE 0.2.2 0.8.4 0.9.6 10.9 (69)
SUPERGOALS
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Melbourne: Nil
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Cordy 2, Grant, Bontempelli, Goodes, Minson, Boyd, Jong
Melbourne: Garlett 2, Kennedy-Harris 2, Cross, Hogan, Dawes, Jones, Frost, Watts
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Honeychurch, Boyd, Bontempelli, Goodes, Minson, Stringer
Melbourne: Kennedy-Harris, Garlett, Jones, Grimes, Cross, Salem, Lumumba
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Melbourne: Aaron vandenBerg (head)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Deboy, Hosking, Jeffrey
Crowd: 6000 approx. at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat
