Round 1, 2022
Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
Wednesday 16 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 58,002
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.5 | 6.6 | 10.8 | 14.13.97 |
| Western Bulldogs | 2.2 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 11.5.71 |
Melbourne win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Ben Brown 3, Bayley Fritsch 2, Christian Petracca 2, Jake Bowey 1, Max Gawn 1, James Harmes 1, Luke Jackson 1, Ed Langdon 1, Kysaiah Pickett 1, Jack Viney 1
Milestones:
First goal
Jake Bowey (8th game)
Statistical categories led:
Most clangers in a game: 12 - Clayton Oliver
After unfurling their first premiership flag in 57 years, the Demons carried on like the 2021 Grand Final had never ended, kicking the first four goals of the game. The Bulldogs hit back with two late goals, including one after the siren. Once they found their feet, the Bulldogs shot into the lead with six goals in a row. In a game of momentum swings, the Demons recovered from the loss of Christian Salem to a knee injury and fought back to a nine point deficit at half time. They then kicked the only four goals of the third term to take a 15 point into the last break, withstanding a brief Bulldog fightback that cut the margin to four points to win comfortably.
Toby Bedford replaced Salem (knee) in the first quarter. Jake Lever was a late withdrawal, replaced by Adam Tomlinson.
Best were Petracca, Brown and Oliver