The Western Bulldogs held out a desperate Melbourne to post their first AFL win under Brendan McCartney and extend the winless Demons’ pain.

The Dogs won 13.10 (88) to 9.13 (67) at the MCG on Sunday, pushing 21 points clear early in the second half, then staving off a challenge as Melbourne pushed to within a point late in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs will fancy their chances of two in a row when they play Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Saturday.

But it is hard to see where Melbourne’s first win of the year will come from, as every side they play from now until their round 12 bye is one of last year’s finalists.

Adam Cooney kicked two goals and had 25 disposals for the Dogs.

Livewire half-forward Luke Dahlhaus was excellent, his classy disposal to set up numerous goals standing out markedly in a gritty, but error-riddled match.

Running defender Bob Murphy was a huge factor in the Bulldogs building their lead in the first half, as he racked up possessions and thrashed direct opponent Aaron Davey, although he was kept quieter in the second.

Melbourne’s midfield ball-winner Brent Moloney made a good return from a groin injury, starting slowly, but inspiring the Demons’ third-term charge.

Half-forward Matthew Bate also impressed with two goals, while Jared Rivers and James Frawley were solid in defence.

The Demons lost Mitch Clark late in the third term, the big forward leaping high for a mark, but landing on his head.

Although he played no further part in the match, it was a relief he was able to stand and jog to the bench.

Melbourne had spent a large chunk of the first term with the ball in their attacking half.

But poor delivery into attack and inaccuracy, combined with the Dogs capitalising on limited chances meant the Bulldogs led by nine points at the first change.

That was out to 15 points by halftime and 21 when Liam Jones snapped a goal 20 seconds into the third term, after a terrible turnover by Melbourne’s Tom McDonald deep in defence.

Melbourne charged back with four of the next five goals, Moloney putting them within a point early in time-on.

But two late goals to the Bulldogs, including one to Grant after a poor Jack Watts turnover, helped the buffer out to 15 points at the last change, before early last-term goals to Jordan Roughead and Daniel Giansiracusa left Melbourne too far behind.