WOMEN’S team captain Daisy Pearce says a dynamic first half of football set her side up for their fourth win over the Western Bulldogs in as many games.

Melbourne kicked out to a 31-point lead in the first half before an inspired Bulldogs side nearly came back to pinch the match, with the Demons holding on by four points.

Pearce, who was awarded best on ground for an outstanding individual performance, said a game plan based on hard running and applying pressure had paid off.

“The plan was to play really pressured footy and make them make bad decisions so we were able to apply that pressure early on,” Pearce told melbournefc.com.au.

“Then when we got it, the plan was to really spread and use the width of the ground, so [it was] a really impressive first half of footy.

“But as we knew, the Bulldogs came back in the second half and put the pressure on us and… we went into our shell and maybe tried to ice the game without intending to a little bit early.

“But that happens in footy and I guess at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter now, we got there.”

Pearce played one of her finest games yet in Melbourne colours.

Collecting 30 disposals, seven clearances and four inside 50s, the Melbourne captain was clearly the best player on the ground and set the standard for her side’s superb first half.

“I guess everyone always walks off the ground always thinking about the things you could have done better,” she said.

“But all in all I was pretty happy with my game and tried to get around and make sure I could do some of the one-percenters as well.

“It’s always nice to get your hands on the footy but more importantly we got the win.”

Melbourne kicked just one goal in the second half, with Bulldogs key forward Katie Brennan sparking a resurgence.

But with Melbourne able to hold their ground for the majority of the final quarter, Pearce said her side’s resilience and competitiveness under pressure was impressive.

“When they got that goal late and you realise ‘they’re within a kick’, we couldn’t believe they were that close,” she said.

“But it was impressive again in that we were able to just put our heads over the footy and do the ugly stuff and make sure we got the result – it was the biggest relief.

“The game is about showcasing women’s footy and putting on a good standard but at the end of the day we’re all really competitive and all we really care about in those last two minutes is winning the game, so it was a really good result.”

Pearce praised youngster Sabrina Frederick-Traub, whose efforts inside the forward 50 on debut proved crucial early.

Frederick-Traub provided a strong marking presence and kicked three goals in the first half in an impressive display.

“You can sit [the ball] on her head and she makes an ordinary kick look great, which she did a couple of times for me,” Pearce said.

“Her ability as a young player to go back on the big stage and put the goal through was awesome [but her impact’s] not only when she clunks the mark.

“She creates the really true contest so if she doesn’t mark it you know the ball’s going to land in front and it’ll make the job easier for the smalls – so she did a great job.”