Melbourne admit they had their chances to beat the Western Bulldogs, but instead must rue the idea of having lost another AFL game despite being the better side.

The Demons did everything but hang on at the MCG on Friday night, as they were beaten when the Bulldogs conjured two goals in the last four minutes and won 10.10 (70) to 9.12 (66).

Melbourne's defeat was reminiscent of the round-two loss to Collingwood, when the Demons were acknowledged as the better side, but lost by one point.

"We put ourselves in a very good position to win the game," Demons coach Dean Bailey said after the defeat to the Bulldogs.

"Inside-50s were high against us and that's never a good sign when it's 52 to 61, but when the game was on the line we kept persisting and we opened up a window for us to win the game.

"Unfortunately we couldn't hold on and play smart enough by a couple of minutes."

Melbourne midfielder Clint Bartram was another disappointed his side came away empty-handed.

"I personally thought we dominated play and probably had more opportunities," he said.

"But AFL is a game of opportunities and we didn't take them.

"The Bulldogs did and so I suppose the result speaks for itself."

Even Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade conceded last year's wooden spooner probably deserved more than a 3-4 win-loss record a third of the way through the season.

"They could easily been on five (wins) and two (losses)," Eade said.

"They scared us and they scared Collingwood and they could actually make the eight, which would be a big jump for them.

"They've got plenty of belief and plenty of enthusiasm, which is great for them."

Melbourne twice had what looked set to be awarded goals overturned by field umpires and awarded rushed behinds, and also found themselves confused at times given both they and the umpires wore pink in their strips, as part of an initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer.

Bailey refused to blame those matters for his side's defeat, and instead was disappointed the Demons conceded early goals in each of the first three quarters.

But he was impressed with the form shown by young midfielders Tom Scully, Jack Trengove and Jordie McKenzie, and small forward Jamie Bennell, who took a great high mark and kicked an excellent dribbled goal from the pocket despite the wet conditions.

Melbourne play West Coast at the MCG on Saturday week.

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