KAREN Paxman says Melbourne’s ability to regroup sealed her side’s victory over West Coast on Sunday afternoon.

After managing just one major in the second term, the Demons came out firing after the half-time break, kicking seven unanswered goals.

Paxman, who had another standout performance in her own right, acknowledged a lull and the quick turnaround.

“I think in the second quarter, we came out and we were a little bit flat,” she told Melbourne Media.

“At half time, we had a bit of a chat and needed to come out with a lot of energy, just get back to winning the contest and then driving out from there.

“We then flowed on from each other and got it back on our terms.”

Using the windy Casey Fields conditions to its advantage, Melbourne converted 10 majors – its most of the season and the most of any team in Round 5.

But its defensive work was equally as impressive.

The Demons kept the Eagles to just one goal and a behind all day, taking their season tally to an impressive 84 points conceded.

And with their defensive structure being a consistent focus, Paxman said it was pleasing to be able to execute it once again.  

“It’s a credit to the girls down there and I think work rate too,” Paxman said.

“Getting back and helping out our girls – that was definitely a focus coming into the game for us.

“It was nice to not only kick a ton of goals but also not concede too many as well.”

The Demons, who had another two players in Sarah Perkins and Brenna Tarrant make their debuts, have faced their fair share of injury concerns this season.

While it continues to be a talking point for some, Paxman said it was not phasing the group internally.

“We haven’t really stressed too much about that and I think versatility in our list is pretty good as well,” she said.

“Edo (Eden Zanker) coming into the ruck and H (Harriet Cordner) having some time in there [and] today, Perko (Sarah Perkins) and Macca (Niamh McEvoy) having some time in there as well – I think for our girls to switch up into different positions has been handy.

“Our depth is pretty good, so we held up.”

The 59-point win sees the Dees remain in a strong position in Conference B, sitting second on the ladder.

They now face a tough challenge in six days’ time when they take on third-placed Carlton in Alice Springs.

“We just have to take it game by game and not get too far ahead of ourselves, be consistent with our quarters and just keep doing what we’re doing,” Paxman said.

“It was nice to bounce back last week and repeat that this week, and hopefully next week we can do the same thing.”