MELBOURNE'S red-hot start to the season continues after the Demons clinically took care of Port Adelaide by 51 points on Sunday afternoon. 

The Demons led from start to finish, extending their lead at every break to eventually win 11.8 (74) to 2.11 (23) in front of a crowd of 1,762 at Casey Fields.

 

Sunday’s win means the Demons remain undefeated five rounds into the season under new coach Tom Wilson, but it came at a cost, with in-form forward Eliza McNamara ruled out of the game with a jaw injury.

It’s unfortunate news for the 24-year-old who has had a number of injuries across her short career, including a serious back injury that caused the youngster to miss a year of football in 2022.

Melbourne had the momentum from the outset when recruit Mia Austin hit the scoreboard early, kicking the opening two goals of the game.

Playing as Melbourne’s deepest forward, Austin, who was rested in round four, read the flight of the ball expertly in the Casey wind, finding herself goal-side of her opponent on two occasions.

The accurate Dee slotted her first from a set shot gifted from a high-contact free kick and the second when she confidently shrugged off her opponent with strength to kick the ball through from the goal line.

Port tried their best to exit the Dees’ 50, but kicking into the wind made the task more difficult, and Melbourne defenders Molly O’Hehir and Maeve Chaplin intercepted and drove the ball back towards goal.

With fellow forwards Lauren Young (managed) and Indy Tahau (ACL) out, Julia Teakle stood up in their absence, kicking a long-range goal into the wind, giving the Power their first major just before the quarter-time break.

High-flying forward Tayla Harris started to impact the game, taking strong overhead, contested marks within range of goal and kicking her first to start the second term.

Port Adelaide dominated inside 50s with the wind 10 to Melbourne’s four, but couldn’t capitalise, unable to convert their opportunities under the Demons’ pressure.

A tackle by Megan Fitzsimon in the dying moments of the half gave the Demons a shot on goal after the siren, and the small forward converted truly, meaning Melbourne kicked the only two goals of the quarter into the wind.

00:38

Maggie makes magic as sizzling snap piles on pain

Maggie Mahony bends through a classy finish on her left to add another for the red-hot Demons

Melbourne’s McNamara, who has spent more time forward this season, was the beneficiary of a huge marking contest inside 50, crumbing the ball and snapping on goal to extend the Dees' lead to start the second half.

New Power coach Glenn Strachan moved star ruck Matilda Scholz forward in the final term in an attempt to provide a spark up forward with the wind, and immediately it paid off with Sinead Goody scoring Port’s second. 

But that was it; the Power fell away in the final quarter when the contest was well and truly over, with the Dees kicking the final three goals of the game.

Heads in trouble?
Port defender Ella Heads could be in trouble with the Match Review Officer following a head-high bump on Melbourne forward Eliza McNamara. Heads, who was today playing her 50th game, collected McNamara high early in the fourth quarter, the bump causing the Demon to leave the ground with the blood rule. The speedy-Dee didn’t return to the game.

00:37

'In true Tayla Harris fashion': Big Demon clunks towering mark

Tayla Harris produces one of her trademark aerial efforts with a huge mark at the top of the square before finishing truly

 

Harris flying high
One of the most athletic players in the game, Demon Tayla Harris was at her best at Casey Fields on Sunday afternoon, flying high to take strong overhead contested marks like only she can. Harris hit the scoreboard with two majors for the second consecutive week, continuing her good form to start the season.

Up next
Melbourne returns to Casey Fields next Saturday afternoon to play fellow top-four side Carlton at 1:05pm, whilst Port Adelaide plays Sydney back on their home turf at Alberton Oval, also on Saturday afternoon.

MELBOURNE            3.1   5.2   8.6   11.8  (74)
PORT ADELAIDE      1.2   1.7   1.9   2.11  (23)

GOALS
Melbourne: Austin 2, Harris 2, Hore, Fitzsimon, McNamara, Mahoney, Bannan, Hanks, Wotherspoon 
Port Adelaide: Teakle, Goody

BEST
Melbourne: Purcell, Chaplin, Hanks, Allen, Austin
Port Adelaide: Dowrick, Scholz, Heads, Woodland, Eaton

INJURIES
Melbourne: McNamara (jaw)
Port Adelaide: Nil