Melbourne dealt the Western Bulldogs another cruel blow, this time with a six-point win in the NAB Cup pre-season AFL game at Marrara Oval in Darwin.

Not satisfied with denying the Dogs a place in last year's finals over the last two rounds of the 2005 season, Melbourne notched an impressive win in monsoonal conditions in a match which started in sapping humidity and ended in heavy rain.

Melbourne won 0.9.15 (69) to 1.7.12 (63) to set up a second round clash against Brisbane at Telstra Dome next Friday night.

Darwin boy Aaron Davey and Russell Robertson booted three goals each for the Dees, while Robert Murphy was the Bulldogs' sole focal point, as he booted a nine-point goal and three others to keep his side in the contest.

Melbourne started the better and led by 17 points at halftime but looked to have fatigued badly in the trying conditions, as the side - which contained eight untried players - scored only a behind in the third term.

But Shannon Motlop booted a goal early in the final quarter to cut the margin to five points and then Robertson eventually gave his side the lead for good with a goal from about 30 metres directly in front with three minutes left.

Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson had the chance to put his side up moments earlier, but pushed his shot from 20 metres to the right.

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