Demons stay in AFLW finals hunt with win over Saints

Melbourne have posted their third-straight AFLW win, beating St Kilda by 14 points to stay in the finals hunt.

The Demons kicked the only two goals of the first term and while the Saints lifted on Sunday at Moorabbin, they could not bridge the gap and Melbourne won 6.8 (44) to 5.0 (30).

It leaves the Demons 11th with a 4-4 record, equal on points with the eighth-placed Saints, Port Adelaide and West Coast.

Demons midfielder Tyla Hanks had a whopping seven clearances in the first quarter and racked up 12 for the game, along with 22 disposals and six tackles.

Saints key forward Jesse Wardlaw kicked her third goal in the last quarter to keep her side in touch.

But that was the last goal of the match as Melbourne closed out the result.

Demon Eliza McNamara had a game-high 31 possessions, while Eden Zanker returned from injury and kicked two goals.

Olivia Purcell, playing her first game this season, also kicked a goal in the third term. She was wearing a face mask after recovering from serious injuries that needed surgery after a collision during a pre-season match.

In her 50th game, St Kilda’s Serene Watson had 18 disposals and Jaimee Lambert helped spark the Saints after her slow start.