Nine-goal second quarter enough for Western Bulldogs to beat Melbourne in final game of season Winners ... Will Minson celebrates a goal against Melbourne. It started ominously for Melbourne when key forward Chris Dawes tweaked that troublesome calf muscle again in the warm-up. Aside from a spirited opening quarter and late flurry, the day steadily degenerated against a more energetic and disciplined Western Bulldogs unit. As a collective examination for a future senior coach, few Demons would have gained a pass mark in the 20 points loss at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. And, remember, this was against a 15th placed opposition that had been one of Melbourne's two victims earlier in this lamentable season. Yes, there were flashes of hope. Like teenager Jack Viney's sprint from the centre and goal on the run late in the third quarter. And a reminder of Jack Watts undisputed if untapped talent with straight shooting set shots bagging four goals. Retiring forward Aaron Davey several times reminded of his exciting contribution in 178 games with that breakaway pace and pinpoint passes. And his standing was emphasised by a pre-game guard of honour that contained former skipper and Carlton assistant coach Brad Green, Geelong defender Jared Rivers, Brisbane onballer Brent Moloney and former goalkicking great David Neitz. But back to the future. And there's plenty of summer work for Melbourne's new boss. Like the basic necessity of sustained pressure for far more than one of four quarters. Ugly ... A melee breaks out after the half-time siren. The contested ball count told a sorry story for the Demons, thrashed 148-103 by these hungrier Doggies in a final scoreline that didn't truly reflect their dominance. The contested possessions discrepancy was a whooping 40 by half-time. That Bulldogs' grunt around the contest was led by sons-of-guns Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis, aided by brave Daniel Cross in his 210th and final game in the red, white and blue. Perhaps, it was Cross' job application for the next Demons' coach. His work ethic, to run and keep running often became a lesson for opponents. Dawes pulled up short after sprinting in one of the first run-throughs during the pre-game warm-up for what would have been only his 13th game this season. He immediately consulted a trainer and stayed on the oval to test the leg with a few short kicks before walking disconsolately back to the dressing rooms. Flash ... Retiree Aaron Davey was given a guard of honour. The Demons had to tell James Sellar to hastily prepare and he lined up at the opening bounce in Dawes' post as a tall forward target. Luckily, Sellar was pulled out of VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions' elimination final team last Friday night just in case. It started out as an entertaining, free-flowing contest, laced with appealing match-ups. Liberatore against Jack Trengove, Wallis and Nathan Jones, Ablett-tamer Jordie McKenzie running with Ryan Griffen. And the Bulldogs paid Davey the ultimate compliment by assigning designated stopper Liam Picken to the Demon dasher. Melbourne's spirit and skills were admirable as the lead swapped early in the contest. And the Demons were right in the mix when the teams traded spectacular goals from Melbourne springheel Jeremy Howe and talented Bulldog Jarrad Grant just after the quarter-time restart. When Sellar steered through a long goal eight minutes into the second quarter, the Demons had grabbed back the lead. Alas, it would be the last hurray. The drop-off in intensity and seemingly interest by too many Melbourne players was as sudden as it was damning. The Demons simply wilted when the Bulldogs ramped up their attack on the ball and the contest. From that two-points lead, Melbourne sat back and watched the more determined Doggies slam on seven unanswered goals in 18 minutes to put the game out of reach by half-time. When an after-the-siren clash between Minson and McKenzie on the city wing inevitably snowballed into an ugly, brawling mass, several Melbourne players displayed far more commitment to that futile fight than the task of winning the hard ball in the previous half hour. Goals Western Bulldogs: T Dickson 3, A Cooney 2, D Giansiracusa 2, L Hunter 2, D Cross, J Grant, L Jones, M Wallis, T Campbell, T Liberatore, W Minson. Melbourne: J Watts 4, D Kent 2, C Garland, J Howe, J Sellar, J Viney, L Dunn, M Jones, N Jones. Best Western Bulldogs: T Liberatore, W Minson, M Boyd, D Cross, R Murphy, T Dickson, L Picken. Melbourne: N Jones, J Watts, J Grimes, J Viney, D Terlich. Umpires: Jason Armstrong, Brendan Hosking, Leigh Fisher. Official Crowd: 22,176 Venue: Etihad Stadium.