Round 12, 2000
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Sunday 28 May
Venue: Docklands
Attendance: 26,180
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Western Bulldogs | 3.3 | 4.6 | 10.7 | 16.12.108 |
| Melbourne | 6.3 | 10.4 | 12.5 | 13.5.83 |
Western Bulldogs win by 25 points
Goalkickers: Jeff White 4, David Neitz 2, Jeff Farmer 1, Brad Green 1, Andrew Leoncelli 1, Guy Rigoni 1, Russell Robertson 1, David Schwarz 1, Adem Yze 1
Brownlow votes:
1 - Shane Woewodin
Best and Fairest
25 - Jeff White
21 - Peter Walsh
15 - Anthony Ingerson
15 - Shane Woewodin
14 - Guy Rigoni
11.5 - David Schwarz
Milestones:
Nil
Careering to another victory at half time with a 34 point lead Melbourne fell apart in the second term and conceded 12 goals to three. The two sides were fortunate to be playing under the roof as it bucketed down outside, but the Dogs 6th loss in a row was averted with a spectacular fightback.
In a week where David Schwarz had been criticised for his inconsistent first half of the year, the Ox was one of the Dees most influential players across half-forward while Troy Simmonds was holding the ruck down and allowing Jeff White to play a dominant role at full-forward. Melbourne booted the first four goals within 11 minutes and were 25 points in front before the midway point of the first term. Assisted by their domination of the centre the Demons looked good, but did not account for Scott West tearing the game apart in the second half.
Despite the comeback Melbourne were still in front until the 13 minute mark of the last quarter when a loose Steven Febey kick was marked by Luke Darcy who handballed to Nathan Brown for the go-ahead goal. From there it was a procession for the Bulldogs. Despite their dominant first half the Demon forwards went missing in the second with Schwarz, Neitz, Farmer and Robertson only having 11 disposals between term for the third and fourth quarters. The entire team only had two marks inside 50m after the long break, both through White.
Neale Daniher said "Things from a planning point of view went very well in the first half but when thrown the challenge you have to lift again but we weren't able to do that in the second half."
White, Schwarz and S. Febey were the best.
The game was originally meant to be played at Princes Park on the Saturday, before being transferred to Docklands.
Media
Age - 21/01/2000
Age - 29/05/2000
Herald Sun - 29/05/2000