Melbourne's AFL finals hopes have been kept alive by a stunning comeback, with ruckman Jeff White kicking the winning goal to cap an amazing 16.13 (109) to 16.9 (105) victory over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

It looked as though the Demons' finals chances had ended when they were trailing by 22 points, 20 minutes into the final quarter.

But instead it was the Bulldogs' gallant charge towards an AFL finals berth that was crushed, with the Demons amazingly charging back in the final minutes with four late goals.

Goals to White and Adem Yze, followed by a strong mark and goal from Ben Holland set the scene for White's dramatic final goal from a free kick 45 metres out on a tight angle.

The Bulldogs' Wayde Skipper cannoned into White at a boundary ruck contest to give away the vital free kick, with White showing great skill and composure to slot the set shot.

White then ensured the win, by going back to the centre and winning the next ruck contest down to Travis Johnstone, who booted it forward, where Aaron Davey snapped a behind to make the final margin four points.

Earlier, Davey had set up the boundary throw-in which led to White's match-winning goal by charging down Adam Cooney in the Bulldogs' back pocket to smother the ball over the boundary line, preventing the Dogs from clearing.

It was the second consecutive week in which the Demons' finals hopes had hung on a knife-edge in the final seconds, after they came back from 34 points down to win by a point against Geelong at Skilled Stadium last week.

The Demons now need to beat Essendon at the MCG next Sunday to seal up a finals berth.

The Dogs would be desperately disappointed to be out of the finals race, after winning four games straight before the match to charge into contention and leading at every change.

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