MELBOURNE has handed Greater Western Sydney its biggest defeat of the season at a windy Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons dominated from the outset, keeping the Giants scoreless until the final minutes to cruise to the 6.8 (44) to 1.1 (7) win.
Melbourne peppered the goals and could have posted a bigger score if it wasn't for the windy conditions playing havoc.
The Giants failed to find any clean ball movement as Melbourne's defence set up strongly behind the ball.
Late inclusion Alison Brown, who ran 9.4km in Casey's VFLW match earlier in the day, served as a defensive anchor, and racked up plenty of intercepts, which allowed Libby Birch and Gab Colvin to play more accountable roles.
Tayla Harris continued her strong season, leading well out of the goalsquare and receiving pinpoint passes to add another two goals to her season tally.
Kate Hore was a constant menace up forward and also managed two goals in an impressive performance.
Alyce Parker saw plenty of the ball for the Giants, registering 18 disposals to half-time and finishing the game with 23. Running along alongside the returning Tyla Hanks for much of the game, Parker was strong on the inside, while Hanks was more damaging with her disposal on the outside.
Nicola Barr, the star of the Giants' round four win spent some time up forward again, but with a lack of supply struggled to get involved in the game so was spun back into defence, marking the speedy Alyssa Bannan.
Jess Doyle prevented the Giants from the claiming the unenviable record of lowest score in AFLW history with a goal in the closing stages from a rare inside 50.
HEATH CLAIMS ANOTHER SCALP
After holding Kate Surman goalless last week, Shelley Heath was once again handed a tough job, this time against Cora Staunton. The Giant had kicked a goal in every game of the season coming into the clash, but Heath's speed and pressure limited any opportunity for Staunton to get a sniff at goal.
DEES ATTACK ON FIRE
Melbourne's forward line is a thing to behold. Tayla Harris booted two majors to take her to the top of the competition's goalkicking leaderboard, while Daisy Pearce and Kate Hore continue to threaten. The trio has combined for 24 goals already this season, and that's without considering the impact of Alyssa Bannan and Shelley Scott.
GIANTS SINK TO RECORD LOW
The Giants managed just seven points for the game - the lowest in club history - as they struggled to move the ball forward. Third-gamer Jess Doyle somewhat saved the day with a late goal in the final quarter, but the dynamic Giants of round four were nowhere to be seen.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Melbourne has to wait until Monday February 21 to head north to face Brisbane at Metricon Stadium, while the Giants have the tough job of hosting Adelaide in Blacktown on Saturday.
MELBOURNE 2.2 2.3 3.8 6.8 (44)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 (7)
GOALS
Melbourne: Harris 2, Hore 2, D.Pearce, Scott
Greater Western Sydney: Doyle
BEST
Melbourne: Hanks, Mithen, West, Paxman
Greater Western Sydney: Randall, Parker, Eva, Dallaway
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: McKinnon (head knock)
LATE CHANGES
Melbourne: Sarah Lampard (illness) replaced by Alison Brown
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: TBC at Casey
