Melbourne have shrugged off a wayward fortnight to return to the AFLW winners' list with a crushing 44-point victory over St Kilda.
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Usually a midfielder, Demons captain Daisy Pearce proved a handful up forward with two goals as Melbourne swept away the Saints 9.12 (66) to 3.4 (22) at Casey Fields.
It was the Demons' second-biggest score in their history as Tyla Hanks, Karen Paxman, Eden Zanker, Lauren Pearce and Kate Hore produced performances that were a class above the young Saints.
"After a couple of tough losses, you kind of need to create a bit of energy," Daisy Pearce said.
"Everyone went out there with that mentality, whether it was through a goal or other actions we wanted to celebrate the little wins
Melbourne won their first three games of the season, but entered Saturday night's match following a horror two weeks, where they kicked a combined total of 3.20, in poor defeats to Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
The Demons still missed numerous gettable chances against St Kilda, but the performance will boost their confidence heading into a tricky last three rounds of the season as they aim to qualify for the finals.
The result leaves Melbourne just outside the top-six, but face a tough run home with matches against Adelaide, Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions to come.
The Saints struggled for shining lights in their second heavy defeat in as many weeks, but Georgia Patrikios and Hannah Priest battled hard.
Australian Associated Press