Karen Paxman and Tayla Harris have played starring roles to lead Melbourne to a 64-point AFLW thumping of the Western Bulldogs.
Paxman was instrumental early but had to undergo a concussion test after a nasty clash of heads with teammate Lauren Pearce moments before half-time at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The experienced midfielder recovered and finished with 19 disposals in the Demons' commanding 10.13 (73) to 1.3 (9) victory.
Harris kicked two goals from 14 disposals and held her own against in-form Bulldog Alice Edmonds when moved into the ruck after half-time, with first-choice ruck Pearce sidelined.
Olivia Purcell (25 disposals), Eliza West (24 disposals, one goal) and Alyssa Bannan (three goals) were also influential for the Demons.
The result put Melbourne level on wins with top sides Brisbane and Adelaide, who play each other in round eight, and gave them a huge percentage boost from 166.0 to 201.2.
It could be disastrous for the Bulldogs, who have now slipped outside the top eight on percentage and lost Elisabeth Georgostathis to a hamstring injury late in the game.
Ellie Blackburn became the seventh AFLW player to reach 1000 career disposals, racking up a team-high tally of 18 for the Bulldogs.
But the Dogs' captain lacked support in a midfield unit that was well beaten, with Melbourne dominating territory and winning the inside-50 count in a landslide (40-12).
The Demons also took 19 marks inside-50 to the Dogs' three.
Melbourne didn't capitalise on a strong wind advantage in the first term, managing just two scoring shots for a seven-point lead at quarter-time.
But they made a mockery of the conditions in the second term.
Sarah Hartwig got the Dogs back within one point before Demons goals to Bannan, West and Eden Zanker blew the gap out to 26 by the main break.
The home side ran away with it from there, kicking 6.5 to 0.3 after half-time.
Melbourne travel to take on Gold Coast in round eight, while the Bulldogs face a crunch clash with St Kilda.
