Melbourne have taken another step towards a maiden AFLW finals campaign with a commanding 59-point win over West Coast at Casey Fields.

Eight days after the Eagles recorded their first AFLW points, they were brought crashing back to earth by the Demons who prevailed 10.6 (66) to 1.1 (7), with a five-goal third term breaking the game open.

Karen Paxman (21 disposals), Eden Zanker (two goals) and Elise O’Dea (13 touches) were excellent for Melbourne, while Dana Hooker (14 touches) and Emma Swanson (13) were West Coast’s best in front of 1,800 fans.

Melbourne are guaranteed to be in the top two of Conference B at the end of round five, while the Eagles remain bottom of the same table.

Former Crow Sarah Perkins – now a Demons train-on player – was involved early, marking on the lead and drilling a pass to Zanker for Melbourne’s opener.

The Demons’ second goal was spectacular.

Simone Goldrick intercepted the ball, burst through congestion and flicked it on to Niamh McEvoy, who snapped truly.

West Coast started the second term in dream fashion with Maddie Collier slotting a wonderful goal on the run from a tight angle, but it would be their only goal, with Melbourne responding before halftime.

Shelley Scott marked at half-forward and found Kate Hore, who set up Sarah Lampard for an 11-point lead.

The Dees burst out of the blocks in the third term, booting five unanswered goals.

Hore got on the end of a clever build-up to open the scoring and Zanker slotted her second from a free kick shortly after.

Scott, Chantel Emonson and Tegan Cunningham all hit the scoreboard late in the third quarter to give the home side an ominous 44-point lead at the final change.

Jackie Parry calmly slotted a free kick in the fourth quarter, while Perkins converted a set shot after the siren to extend the final margin to a percentage-boosting 59 points.