MELBOURNE secured a 14-point win over the Western Bulldogs in their third round AFLW clash at the Whitten Oval thanks to some fine efforts from their regular contributors.
The Demons had good supply through the midfield, led by Elise O'Dea and captain Daisy Pearce, a forward target with Alyssa Mifsud and a solid defence marshalled by Mel Hickey.
In contrast, the Bulldogs were far too reliant on prolific possession-winners, acting captain Ellie Blackburn and Emma Kearney.
The home team missed the forward presence of injured skipper Katie Brennan and struggled for goals, especially after failing to capitalise on first use of a southerly wind.
The Bulldogs made a promising start to peg back the 14 point half-time deficit with quick goals from Jess Gardner and Kirsten McLeod.
But Melbourne just had all the answers. A deft sidestep by Mifsud to goal from close range against the run of play was followed by her third after a mark to restore order.
The Western Bulldogs wasted first use of the strong wind, particularly with the midfield feed from the rampaging Blackburn.
An early goal from a free kick to ruckman Courtney Clarkson was a promising start, but the Bulldogs struggled to find a target up forward.
A strong pack mark and goal by young Demon Harriet Cordner against the run of play was virtually double in value to keep Melbourne on level terms on the quarter time siren.
And Melbourne was far more effective with the wind at their backs in the second quarter.
With Hickey rebounding off half-back and O'Dea, Pearce and Karen Paxman matching Blackburn's midfield dominance, the Demons controlled the game in the second term.
Deanna Berry was offline with a long, hurried shot and she quickly made amends shortly after with a brilliant snapshot to fire the Demons into the lead.
Melbourne found an alternate target to powerful forward Richelle Cranston, returning from suspension. This time it was Mifsud who presented on the lead.
When Mifsud outbodied her opponent in a one-out contest and bounced through another goal in the second term, it pushed the Demons lead out to 14 points at the long break. And the visitors withstood the Dogs third quarter fightback to steady for their second successive victory.
MELBOURNE 1.1 3.5 5.7 6.7 (43)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.3 1.3 3.4 4,5 (29)
GOALS
Melbourne: Mifsud 3, Berry, Cordner, Hickey
Western Bulldogs: McLeod, Wildes, Clarkson
BEST
Melbourne: O'Dea, D Pearce, Mifsud, Hickey, Paxman, Mithen
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Kearney, Scott, Wildes
INJURIES
Melbourne: L Pearce (shin)
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Umpires: Michael Pell, Ryan Guy, Nathan Toner
Crowd: 8000 (estimate) at the Whitten Oval
