Round 5, 2002
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Friday 26 April
Venue: Docklands
Attendance: 30,789
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Western Bulldogs | 1.9 | 5.14 | 8.17 | 10.21.81 |
| Melbourne | 2.2 | 5.6 | 10.8 | 15.14.104 |
Melbourne win by 23 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 3, David Schwarz 3, Peter Vardy 2, Adem Yze 2, Cameron Bruce 1, Brad Green 1, James McDonald 1, Paul Wheatley 1, Shane Woewodin 1
Brownlow votes:
3 - Shane Woewodin
2 - Andrew Leoncelli
Milestones:
100 games
Peter Vardy (also with Adelaide)
Unexpectedly sitting second on the ladder after being written off pre-season, the Demons faced the winless Dogs in a Friday night danger game and barely laid a glove on their opponents in the first quarter. Despite going into the first change only a point down they'd had six less scoring shots than their opponents and were on the ropes. The Dogs got to 1.12 before managing another goal.
Five goals to three in the third quarter turned around an eight point half-time deficit and the the two sides turned for home with Melbourne holding a narrow lead, but three goals in the first six minutes stretched the gap to 23 points before the Bulldogs goalled. Shortly afterwards Peter Vardy shut the gate on the Dog revival with a goal from a David Neitz assist to extend the margin again.
Best were Woewodin, McDonald and Leoncelli. Travis Johnstone was a late withdrawal with a groin injury, replaced by Steven Armstrong and Matthew Whelan suffered a bruised back.
Stephen Powell was reported for striking and suspended for two matches.
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Age - 27/04/2002