COMING off an underwhelming performance against the Saints in Round 3, Melbourne put a big emphasis on starting well this Friday night.

And it did just that.

“We really wanted to rebound after last week – we sort of lost our intensity around the contest,” Elise O’Dea told Melbourne Media post-game.

“So we thought, game starts at the contest, so we really wanted to bring that and make amends for last week and keep our season on track.

“We know how strong Collingwood are, so we really wanted to see how we match up against them.”

The Demons booted the only two goals of the opening term to give them a buffer that they were able to maintain for the majority of the evening.

“Our mindset going into it was we can’t wait until half-time or the second half until we get going with this mob, because if you give them a sniff then they’ll run all over you,” O’Dea said.

“So we definitely wanted to come out fast.”

Under the roof of Marvel Stadium, Melbourne showed its class, moving the ball well to hit the scoreboard with seven goals.

“We had terrific conditions and we didn’t muck around with the ball through the middle of the ground,” O’Dea said.

“We just tried to get it in deep and give our forwards a chance to go to work.

“We back them in, they’ve got great craft, but if you wait too long before you bring it in to them it gives Collingwood time to drop off, so we wanted to give them the best chance and we did tonight.”

O’Dea was a big factor in her side’s win with 14 disposals, while fellow midfielder Karen Paxman starred yet again with 24 touches of her own.

And up against a talented Collingwood midfield, the Demons were forced to rise to the challenge to earn some breathing space on the Conference B ladder.

“We’re well aware of how the conference system works so any games we can beat another side in your conference, they’re just gold,” O’Dea said.

Melbourne’s 20-point victory was only made sweeter by the large crowd filling the stands.

With the State of Origin Bushfire Game following the Round 4 contest, plenty of fans were cheering as the final siren rang.

“It’s really exciting,” O’Dea said.

“I sort of forgot that we were even playing in front of a crowd tonight.

“We just felt pretty connected with the group out there but looking around now, it’s a bit surreal.

“It’s terrific, it’s a great result, I’m just so rapt for the group.”