Melbourne's 47-point demolition of Collingwood was impressive but ultimately counted for nothing after the Demons were pipped for a spot in the AFLW finals.
The Demons dominated from the start on Saturday at Ikon Park and mauled the last-placed Magpies 11.8 (74) to 4.3 (27).
That result left Melbourne sweating on the outcome of Saturday night's match at the same venue between Carlton and Essendon.
Before that match kicked off, the Bombers were half a game behind the Demons after Essendon's Dreamtime in Darwin draw a week ago with Richmond.
The Bombers proved far too good for the injury-ravaged Blues on Saturday night, Essendon winning 9.6 (60) to 3.6 (24) to clinch their finals berth and deprive the Demons of a place.
Melbourne had been in impressive form, having won five of their previous six games to storm into top-eight contention, only to be thwarted by the Bombers.
AFLW great Stacey Livingstone was chaired from the field after her last game. The Collingwood defender had a shot at goal in the final quarter of her 77th match, but kicked it like a back and only managed a behind.
At the other end, Melbourne captain Kate Hore kicked three goals as she returned from the quad problem that made her a late withdrawal last week.
The Demons were left to rue Hore's absence from the previous week, given they lost to Hawthorn by only six points.
"I'm super proud of the girls' effort today," Hore told Fox Footy after the match.
"We just wanted to come out here and finish our season strong.''
Eliza McNamara also starred for the Demons, racking up 21 possessions by half-time and finishing with 32 for the game.
Melbourne veteran Rhi Watt revealed in a mid-game interview that she will also retire whenever their season ends.
Collingwood showed some promise for the future, with young defender Lucy Cronin impressing again.
When Brittany Bonnici kicked a goal either side of quarter-time, the Magpies only trailed by seven points.
But that only sparked the Demons into action and they kicked the last four goals of the half to kill off the game, going on to kick their highest score of the season.
