Neil Craig at three-quarter-time on Saturday.

Neil Craig at three-quarter-time on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala



Interim Melbourne coach Neil Craig is yet to declare if he wants to apply for the job next season but the veteran mentor's competitive juices are flowing freely after guiding the Demons to a rare win against the Western Bulldogs.


The former Adelaide mentor boasts a 1-1 win-loss record since taking over from sacked head coach Mark Neeld.


Melbourne (2-11) gave its long-suffering fans a rare thrill on Saturday night, claiming just its second win of the season, 15.13 (103) to 15.10 (100) at the MCG.


The Bulldogs (3-10) fell 44 points behind midway through the final term but almost snatched victory with seven consecutive goals.


Melbourne's former No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts, kicked a personal-best haul of four goals and marked strongly in defence in the tense final stages.


''Towards the end of the game he was fantastic,'' Craig said. '' He's had an all-round game.''


AAP