MELBOURNE 2.2 4.3 7.6 9.12 (66)
d ST KILDA0.0 1.3 1.3 3.4 (22)
GOALS: Melbourne: D. Pearce 2, Bannan 2, Scott, Cunningham, Parry, McNamara, Hore. St Kilda: Exon, Whitfort, Luke.
BEST: Melbourne: D.Pearce, L. Pearce, Zanker, Gay, Cunningham, Bannan. St Kilda: Exon, Patrikios, Priest, Lucas-Rodd, Watt, Luke.
It was a one-sided contest at Casey Fields on Saturday night, the Demons doing their best to remain in touch with the top six after a 40-point win over a sloppy St Kilda side.
Melbourne skipper Daisy Pearce had another starring role.Credit:Getty Images
Last time they met, the Saints had their first AFLW win and after consecutive losses, Melbourne were keen to get the job done. The Saints sought redemption after a 53-point loss to dual premiers Adelaide last week.
Demons skipper Daisy Pearce opened the scoring with a set shot followed by an assist and goal from Alyssa Bannan, the Saints failing to notch an inside 50 before the first break.
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The Saints managed to wrangle the ball to their end in the second but failed to hang onto it, a set shot from Shelley Scott extending Melbourne’s lead.
In her 30th AFLW game along with teammate Tilly-Lucas Rodd, Nat Exon announced her return from injury with their only major for the half, her first goal for the Saints. Last year’s Demons leading goal kicker Tegan Cunningham upped their score to 27.
All-Australian Lauren Pearce did the heavy lifting for Melbourne, leading with 14 possessions at the first half and continuing her dominance, with 22 on the final siren.
The Dees’ goal inaccuracy from recent weeks was on the improve, standout performer Eden Zanker escaping a tackle to hand Daisy Pearce her second goal, followed by Bannan also notching her second. Demon Jacqueline Parry extended it to a 38-point lead into the fourth quarter.
