Melbourne have stamped their premiership credentials towards finals contenders Gold Coast as they cruised to a 49-point triumph in Daisy Pearce’s milestone match at Metricon Stadium.
The Demons (7-1) continued their cost towards a top-two end with a masterclass in controlling the ball and territory on their technique to a 9.4 (58) to 1.3 (9) victory on Saturday evening.
There have been ominous indicators early for the Suns because the ball lived within the Demons’ ahead 50 by a lot of the opening time period, though it took the guests greater than 10 minutes to fit their first aim.
That opener got here from Pearce in her fiftieth match after the veteran outsmarted and outmarked Suns key defender Vivien Saad on the high of the goalsquare to spark the Demons.
The 34-year-old Pearce would go on to gather 11 disposals in one other inspirational show that had her teammates cheering her title after the match.
It took the Suns till the final minute of the primary time period to even transfer the ball into their ahead 50 because the Demons arrange a wall that helped them end with an unbelievable 45-9 inside 50 benefit.
The Dees additionally restricted the Suns’ alternatives by seeking to preserve possession themselves, with Olivia Purcell (32 disposals), Lily Mithen (21) and Eliza West (19, 11 tackles) influential with their neat disposal.
Star key ahead Tayla Harris made certain that the Demons made essentially the most of their dominance with three objectives, whereas Eden Zanker and Kate Hore every completed with two.
Whereas the ultimate rating arguably flattered the Suns (4-4) it was essential that they fought out the second half to forestall a blowout that will have additional hit their share and subsequently finals hopes.
Charlie Rowbottom battled arduous to collect 18 disposals with 12 of them contested, together with 9 tackles, because the Suns’ younger gun greater than matched one of many high midfields within the competitors.
Alison Drennan (20 touches), Claudia Whitfort (16), Lucy Single (16) and Lauren Ahrens (14) additionally stood out, whereas Jac Dupuy kicked the one aim for the Suns on a tricky evening.
The Suns will search to rejuvenate their hopes of a top-eight end once they host Carlton on Friday evening, whereas the Demons will look to fine-tune earlier than finals once they face Essendon on Sunday.