West Coast appeared poised to take Melbourne to the wire following a strong first half, but a third term blitz propelled the home side to a 59-point win at Casey Fields.

The Eagles came out of the blocks strong and despite not registering a score in the first quarter they were within arm’s reach of the experienced Demons, who only managed two majors with the wind at their back.

Pressure forward Maddy Collier got West Coast rolling early in the second term, reducing Melbourne’s advantage to one straight kick with a brilliant running goal from 45 metres out.

Unfortunately that would be the closest the Eagles would get to the experienced Dees, who seized all the momentum with five unanswered goals in the penultimate term and kicked on to register a 10.6 (66) to 1.1 (7) win.

West Coast leaders Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker were the team’s standout performers in what was a challenging day for the team.

Swanson won 13 disposals and Hooker collected 14 disposals in addition to laying a team-high 10 tackles.

They were well supported by 18-year-old onballer Mikayla Bowen, who got her hands on the footy 11 times and brought five Demons to ground.

Defenders Talia Radan and Belinda Smith showed the way for the team’s defensive unit, but they could do little to repel the relentless Dees, who launched the ball inside West Coast's defensive 50 at will and won the inside-50 count 36-12.

MELBOURNE     2.0     3.0     8.3     10.6   (66)
WEST COAST     0.0     1.1     1.1     1.1     (7)

GOALS
Melbourne:  Zanker 2, Lampard, Hore, McEvoy, Scott, Emonson, Cunningham, Parry, Perkins
West Coast: Collier

BEST 
Melbourne: Paxman, Goldrick, Zanker, O'Dea, McEvoy, Scott
West Coast: Hooker, Atkins, Swanson, Bowen, Radan, Laurie

INJURIES 
Melbourne: Nil
West Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 1,800 at Casey Fields