AFL Melbourne beats Western Bulldogs in grand-final rematch as 2022 season begins, as it happened

Six months on from their grand final victory, the Melbourne Demons have backed up with a 26-point win over their rivals the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Just like the grand final, the rematch was a series of momentum swings, with one side kicking a string of goals before the opposition answered with their own burst.

The Bulldogs came close to getting a measure of revenge, getting to within four points in a fierce final quarter, before the Demons steadied to get the job done on a night where they unveiled the premiership flag before their supporters.

Ben Brown kicked three for the Demons while Aaron Naughton booted four in a losing cause for the Bulldogs.

It was as fierce and fast as expected as the two sides went at each other under lights.

The Bulldogs were threatening early but they could not make it pay, and after absorbing pressure, the Demons hit back.

Clayton Oliver kicked to the hotspot, it went over the back and Ed Langdon wheeled and snapped the first goal of the season.

Melbourne appeared to jump-start their game — the Dees found Ben Brown who marked inside 50 and goaled. That was two, and Jack Viney added a third by the nine-minute mark.

They had the chance to roll over the Bulldogs, but Brown and Bailey Fritsch missed chances. 

The Demons were smashing their rivals at the centre clearances, and they had the clear advantage. In time on, Jake Bowey kicked another, and the champions were in control.

It took until the 27th minute for Hayden Crozier to boot the Bulldogs' first, and then with the last action of the first quarter, Marcus Bontempelli kicked to the hotspot, and a free kick was given for a push on Cody Weightman.

He converted to leave the Dogs 15 points down at the first break.

The second quarter showed the