ONE MINUTE, you're looking at putting the feet up next week and watching the wildcard teams belt each other up for the chance to face you. But the next, you're probably playing that same wildcard game, perhaps even against a resurgent Carlton, with your season suddenly on the line and your flag chances hanging by a thread.

That is Melbourne's reality. The Demons woke up Saturday morning with all number of possibilities, most of them involving a week's rest. Hell, even top four and a double chance was on the agenda. But they'll get home Saturday night watching games unfold elsewhere, knowing full well a do-or-die wildcard game is now on their own radar.

DEMONS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

The Western Bulldogs, Melbourne's opponents on Saturday evening, didn't have such possibilities. They were playing next week regardless. It might have been why they arrived at the MCG unburdened to secure a 21-point upset that turned the tables on the Dees' year, if not necessarily their own.

The Bulldogs, in all likelihood, did save themselves an interstate trip to South Australia next week as a reward for their 16.12 (108) to 12.15 (87) victory. An MCG bout with Collingwood now probably awaits, as opposed to a hostile Adelaide Oval clash against the Crows.

That second straight game at the 'G was masterminded by the Dogs' reliable duo of Ed Richards (30 disposals, eight clearances, one goal) and Marcus Bontempelli (27 disposals, two goals), while Matt Kennedy (26 disposals, two goals) was also pivotally important at crucial intervals.

Max Gawn (28 disposals, 59 hitouts, 10 clearances) was Melbourne's best on a lamentable day, while Kysaiah Pickett (26 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) and Harrison Petty (17 disposals, 11 marks, three goals) also did their best to drag the Demons back into the picture.

But most – coach Steven King included – will instead spend Saturday night wondering what could have been, hoping and relying on results elsewhere to go their way and limit any damage done across a costly couple of hours for those of a red and blue persuasion.

From the outset, Melbourne thoughts had looked set on the AFL's ladder predictor, checking potential finals opponents as opposed to the game itself, as the Bulldogs got the early jump. In a subdued atmosphere that reflected the sometimes-dizzying ramifications of a result either way, a Dogs side guaranteed of a game next week kicked the first three goals, and five of the first seven, to grab a hold of the contest.

But a Demons outfit with more on the line was always bound to respond. Indeed, having slipped 20 points behind right after quarter-time, Melbourne finally found a sense of urgency in the second term.

But while the intensity lifted, the scoreboard hardly shifted. Instead, the Dogs were resolute at one end to ensure the Dees' efforts didn't reflect in the margin being whittled down. They then released the shackles soon after, kicking clear to get a deserved reward for their resilience. A five-minute, three-goal burst early in the third term doing the damage and lifting their lead beyond 30 points.

By that point, it had begun to appear as though the Bulldogs would have all the answers. Two late Melbourne goals to close the gap before the final break? No bother, here's Cooper Hynes to sneak forward and kick two in quick succession to start the last term.

A classy Kade Chandler snap to jangle some nerves again? No trouble, here's Bontempelli putting the Superman cape on and another from Arty Jones to quell any of those concerns.

Even when the Demons kicked three goals in three minutes to give themselves the unlikeliest of late chances to solidify their place in the top six, up stepped Kennedy and Bontempelli again to finally seal the deal and make both sides' path to September clearer.

Although, in this wild weekend, who knows what else round 24 will bring before then?

Injury chaos with September implications
Saturday wasn't just significant for ladder positions, it also had ramifications on who might be playing next week and beyond. In a chaotic two-minute stretch in the third term, first it was Western Bulldogs spearhead Aaron Naughton who tweaked his ankle and limped gingerly from the field. He didn't return. Shortly after, Melbourne youngster Matt Jefferson looked to jar his knee in an awkward landing and also came from the field. Earlier, important Dees defender Daniel Turner had required two trainers to carry him from the ground after appearing to injure his knee. However, fortunately, he returned and looked unincumbered as he played out the remainder of the contest.

One shoe as good as two for Ed
Ed Richards can do no wrong at the moment, shoe or no shoe. In the midst of the Bulldogs' first-quarter burst, the star midfielder flushed an unbelievable snap from 40m out that sailed through post-high. The best part? He did it having lost his shoe in a contest moments earlier. If the goal was good, the celebration might have been even better. Richards collected his lost shoe and held it to his ear, mimicking a phone call. He finished with 30 disposals, eight clearances and that classy goal in a fine display.

MELBOURNE   3.2   5.6   7.12   12.15 (87)
WESTERN BULLDOGS           5.4   7.5   10.9   16.12 (108)

GOALS
Melbourne: Petty 3, McDonald 2, Fritsch 2, Langdon, Pickett, Windsor, Chandler, Langford
Western Bulldogs: Jones 3, Bontempelli 2, Naughton 2, Hynes 2, Kennedy 2, Weightman, Freijah, Richards, West, Gardner

BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Petty, Pickett, Bowey, Steele
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bontempelli, Kennedy, Freijah, West

INJURIES
Melbourne: Jefferson (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Naughton (ankle)

Crowd: 44,258 at the MCG