It happened after the Bulldogs made a good start in the first quarter but lost their hard-won ascendancy as the Demons kicked the final four goals of the quarter.
It happened again after the Bulldogs worked their way back to within three points and then watched helplessly as the centre-square quartet served ace,ace and then another serve and volley to push the margin back out to 21 points.
The Bulldogs did not give up and came out after half-time with spirit and fight to rush Melbourne each time they tried to dispose of the ball and locked the ball in their forward half.
Tim English goaled on the run after nine consecutive inside 50s and then Aaron Naughton kicked a goal from a ruck contest inside the forward 50 to reduce the margin to just one point.
Then it happened again,with a centre clearance to Melbourne ending with a goal to James Harmes and momentum slowed again.
It was frustrating for the Bulldogs as they were carrying most of the workload but they could not hit the front.
Loading
Then Ugle-Hagan became the target with four marks and three goals in a memorable last quarter that showed a star being born in just his 17th game after being the No.1 pick in the 2020 national draft.
WESTERN BULLDOGS4.0 9.2 12.6 17.8 (110)
MELBOURNE6.3 11.5 14.7 15.10 (100)
GOALS
W Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 5,Naughton 2,English 2,Weightman 2,Garcia 2,Macrae,Bontempelli,Treloar,West.
Melbourne: Fritsch 4,Weideman 3,Pickett 2,Melksham 2,Harmes,Sparrow,Jackson,Neal-Bullen.
BEST
W Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan,English,Bontempelli,Dale,Treloar,Macrae.
Melbourne: Oliver,Gawn,May,Viney,Brayshaw.
INJURIES:W Bulldogs:Treloar (calf).
CROWD:26,501 at Marvel Stadium.