A KAREN Paxman masterclass has led Melbourne to a comfortable 21-point first-up win over an ill-disciplined Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The four-time All Australian was sublime in the hot and humid conditions, racking up 19 of her 25 disposals in the decisive first half of the 9.2 (56) to 5.5 (35) victory.
Paxman slowed down after half-time, but had plenty of help from her teammates.
Lily Mithen (22 and one goal) was terrific onball, while debutant Eliza McNamara also caught the eye with a polished, hard-running wing display to finish with 18 touches.
Lauren Pearce was also a welcome return in the ruck with her strong marking around the ground.
After a tight first quarter in which Gold Coast led by seven points, the Demons put the game away with five unanswered goals in the second.
Goals to Shelley Heath and Tegan Cunningham came via 50m penalties, as did one to Krstel Petrevski just after half-time to split the game wide open.
The Suns will be kicking themselves.
Jamie Stanton (18 disposals) worked hard in an outgunned midfield, while Sarah Perkins (two goals) made a promising start for her third club.
GOLD COAST 3.1 3.3 5.4 5.5 (35)
MELBOURNE 2.0 7.1 9.1 9.2 (56)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Perkins 2, Stanton, Kaslar, Perry
Melbourne: Cunningham 2, Hore 2, Petrevski 2, Zanker, Mithen, Heath
BEST
Gold Coast: Stanton, Perkins, Keaney, Ahrens, Drennan
Melbourne: Paxman, Mithen, McNamara, L.Pearce, Cunningham, Hanks
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Bradfield (knee)
Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 1902 at Metricon Stadium
