Melbourne has done its premiership aspirations no harm following a sound 49-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in what was Nathan Jones' 250th match.
The Demons' victory sits as their sixth in a row and their fifth of 100 points or more, thanks to a five-goal bag from Jesse Hogan and four from Tom McDonald.
With the forwards firing, the Melbourne defence of Neville Jetta and Michael Hibberd stood firm despite the loss of Jake Lever through injury, while Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver were the major ball-winners with 39 and 38 touches respectively.
Jones too put together a solid performance on his special day with 26 touches and a goal.
Although Melbourne got off to a flyer last week against Adelaide with a seven-goal opening term, the Demons were nowhere near their form of last week thanks to the manic pressure of their opposition around the contests.
The Dogs caught the Demons completely off-guard in what was a blistering opening to the game, manhandling their opposition around the stoppages (14-5) and booting the first three goals of the game.
With Mitch Honeychurch, Josh Schache and Marcus Bontempelli all on the scoreboard after just eight minutes of play, Melbourne's beginning to the game didn't get any better.
Lever was taken from the field with a suspected left knee injury and failed to return for the rest of the game, while Jake Melksham was grounded for most of the first term with ankle issues.
While Lever's incident looked innocuous - with the defender left ginger after simply pushing off Marcus Bontempelli - he has had knee troubles in the past, which has required reconstruction.
The Dogs too weren't immune, with Tory Dickson hamstrung after pulling up from an attempted tackle on Alex Neal-Bullen.
Despite being two men down, the Demons put through the next two via Tom McDonald and 250-gamer Nathan Jones, with the crowd roaring to life following the latter's conversion.
With an eight-point advantage to the Dogs putting an end to Melbourne's record of 18 consecutive quarters won, the home side were eager to kickstart a new streak of their own.
Although the Dogs still teased their ability to compete with the flag fancies, only the one goal resulted for the term, while their opposition hit the ground running with an impressive five majors.
It didn't take long for the Dees to close the gap, with a brave mark and goal from Neal-Bullen in the opening minute cutting the margin to just two points, before a blistering run from Charlie Spargo along the wing eventually paved the way for Tom McDonald's second major.
With the home side still dominant around the stoppages despite the impressive tap-work of Max Gawn (29 hit-outs at half-time), the giant ruckman helped to nullify the Dogs' run with a game-high five tackles.
Neville Jetta was similarly reigned supreme down in defence, and was vital in holding the Demons' backline together given the loss of Lever.
The Melbourne defence proved to be too strong for the Dogs; their lack of forward pressure allowing the visitors to seamlessly move the ball out of defence.
Yet a rare turnover from Michael Hibberd saw Billy Gowers stream into goal square to snatch back the lead, albeit temporarily.
As Melbourne hit back in the final minutes with two impressive goals to Jesse Hogan and one to Tom McDonald, the Dees steadily began to draw away from the panicked Bulldog defence, ending the term with a comfortable 16-point margin.
Bontemplli goal thirty seconds in, before a quick reply from Christian Petracca off the back of a stoppage restored the half-time lead.
As Melbourne continued to find space around move the ball audaciously ball through the centre of the ground, Hogan's third major and the follow-up from Bailey Fritsch served as a direct result of their freedom.
The Melbourne midfield had no shortage of contributors, with Jones, Angus Brayshaw, Jordan Lewis and Clayton Oliver all integral to their team's attacking approach.
Their ease to transition the ball from defence had alarm bells ringing in the Bulldog camp, with the issue further compounded by Hibberd's explosive third term; his aggression in defence unparalleled as the Dogs failed to break through the near-impenetrable backline.
As Mitch Hannan made it four consecutive Melbourne majors - the last three of which came directly from courageous attacks through the centre of the ground - the Dees well and truly seized control of the game.
A simple Jordan Roughead goal from the square moments later put a temporary end the the Demons' run, with the Demons unable to add any more majors to end the term with a sound 29-point lead.
Hogan's heroics continued from the very beginning of the term, with a precise kick from the pocket putting the margin out to a game-high 35 points.
Although Melbourne continued to rise following a James Harmes hanger, they only managed to kick their second of the term via Tom McDonald after 10 minutes of relatively patchy football.
Brayshaw too added his name to the scoresheet as the Demons flexed their muscles, before a late consolation major from Matthew Suckling was the first of the Dogs' since the 20-minute mark of the third term.
As a Hogan set shot after the siren shied away to the right, the Demons nonetheless cracked the ton thanks to his crucial behind, and ran out as 49-point victors in what was a momentous occasion for the club.
Melbourne will be taking their confidence into next week's Queen's Birthday clash on Monday afternoon, while the Western Bulldogs will have time to lick their wounds with their bye scheduled for next week.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.3 4.6 6.8 7.9 (51)
MELBOURNE 2.1 7.4 11.7 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 2, Honeychurch, Suckling, Roughead, Gowers, Schache
Melbourne: Hogan 5, T. McDonald 4, Petracca, Neal-Bullen, Hannan, Fritsch, Jones, Brayshaw
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Hunter, Macrae, Bontempelli, McLean, Wood, Johannisen
Melbourne: Hogan, Brayshaw, T. McDonald, Oliver, Gawn, Jetta, Jones, Hibberd
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Dickson (hamstring)
Melbourne: Lever (knee)
TALKING POINTS
1. MELBOURNE ARE THE REAL DEE-AL
Another telling win this afternoon has the Demons firming for top-four contention, and possibly a place in that one day in September.
A disastrous finish to 2017 left the Dees red-faced as they missed the finals by the narrowest of margins for the 11th consecutive year, but come 2018, Melbourne look set to be a genuine threat to the powerhouse clubs of Richmond, West Coast and Sydney.
The Demons have proved they certainly have the firepower up forward and the tendency to kick huge scores - with eight games this season of 100 points or more - while their defence remains resolute, with 22 goals conceded in the past three games.
All tied together by a gritty and hard-nosed midfield, Melbourne could certainly give the top-of-the-table sides a run for their money should their form of the previous month carry on for the rest of the season.
Now sitting in third position on the ladder and just one game behind the second-placed Richmond, the Dees have the opportunity to notch up their ninth win against Collingwood next week.
In front of a massive crowd for the Queen's Birthday clash, next Monday afternoon will definitively show if the Demons have what it takes to make their first finals appearance since 2006.
All eyes will be watching with keen interest.
2. LEVER SET TO DEPART FROM THE LINE-UP
While Melbourne will be celebrating another solid victory and the milestone of co-captain Nathan Jones, there will no doubt be the sting of Jake Lever's injury in the air.
The prize recruit looks set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining what is suspected to be a ruptured left ACL in the opening term.
After changing directions in a defensive push-off, Lever hobbled off the field and failed to return for the remainder of the game.
The initial prognosis doesn't bode well for the Demon, who has had the same knee reconstructed in 2013.
All hopes will be that Lever has avoided the worst case scenario, but the Melbourne defence looks set to be without one of their main men for the rest of the season.
3. NATHAN JONES: A TRUE LEADER
An unsung hero of the competition, but an idolised figure of the Melbourne Football Club who has persevered through a lot of thin without much thick.
While tasting lots of individual success with three Keith 'Bluey' Truscott medals and being the captain of the Demons since 2014, Nathan Jones has in his time seen very little team success.
Although his debut season in 2006 resulted in two finals appearances, the subsequent decline of Melbourne has seen the skipper endure 172 losses over his 250 games with no other finals matches in the 11-year period.
Nevertheless, Jones' loyalty and determination never wavered, with the hard-nut bringing his all week after week - with the midfielder playing every possible game from 2013-2016 - and leading the club through its most challenging times.
It's only fair the 30-year-old is now seeing some success, with game 250 a testament to his resilience throughout the Demons' dark days.
Leading by example and never bowing his head, Jones will undoubtedly be remembered as a great of the Melbourne Football Club, and may possibly surpass David Neitz' club record of 306 games when his time comes to an end.
But Jones still has quite a bit left in the tank and a long-awaited date with finals football before the sun sets on his illustrious career.
4. HOGAN A FUTURE HERO
Another Demon piecing together the mouldings of a Melbourne Football Club hero is Jesse Hogan, whose rise as a powerhouse forward of the competition continues to manifest.
Overcoming personal battles serious health issues off the field last year, Hogan has since taken his game to new heights this season, with three five-goal bags and a total of 31 majors for the season.
Armed with an impressive aerial ability and penetrating kick, the Demon key forward was vital to his side's success against the Bulldogs, with his opponents unable to contain his explosive presence.
When compared to Melbourne greats Norm Smith and David Neitz, Hogan's first three seasons in front of goal far surpass that of the two club legends.
In his first three seasons (51 matches, 105 goals), Hogan's record against that of Smith's (34, 77) and Neitz's (66, 52) is telling of his prowess and potential.
What's most remarkable is that Hogan is just 23 years of age, and with so much time to develop into a premium forward, the young Demon too could go down as one of the club immortals in the years to come.
5. LOST DOGS
Today's match doesn't bear all good news, with the Western Bulldogs' slump following their miracle 2016 premiership showing no signs of coming to a head.
Another disappointing performance on their home turf served only as another indicator of how far the Bulldogs have fallen following their ultimate success just two years prior.
Struggling to find a reliable goalkicker up forward and registering just four second half goals in their previous three matches (inclusive of today), the Dogs need an answer fast to remedy their poor finishes to games.
With Tom Boyd out of form and Josh Schache just 29 games into his career, the hopes of consistent bags can't be pinned upon either player as of yet.
Billy Gowers has led the Bulldogs' goalkicking with 14 majors for the season, but more contributors are needed to get their season on the rails.
A tough draw awaits the Dogs, with Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Geelong, Hawthorn, Melbourne and West Coast all to come in the next six weeks of football.
It's going to be a tough challenge, but the Bulldogs will need to find a way to recapture their form of old if they are to avoid six successive floggings.
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