Dees hit back in AFLW, injuries cost Suns

Melbourne have revived their AFLW flag push with a 12-point win over Gold Coast, who face a nervous wait for the results of scans on star defender Lauren Ahrens' injured knee.

Karen Paxman and Lily Mithen starred in the engine room as the Demons bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a hard-fought 5.8 (38) to 4.2 (26) victory at Casey Fields.

They were held goalless for most of the first half but kicked four in a quick burst either side of the main break to take control of the contest.

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The Suns' chances took a further hit late in the third quarter when Ahrens' left knee twisted under the weight of a Tayla Harris tackle.

The defender, who won Gold Coast's best-and-fairest last year and had foot surgery in the off-season, stayed down for a short period before hobbling off the field.

Ahrens' setback could be another serious blow to the Suns' back line after they lost Jade Pregelj to a torn anterior cruciate ligament last week.

Gold Coast will also assess Kalinda Howarth after she left the field with a shoulder injury late in the final term on Saturday night.

Melbourne's big guns fired, with Paxman (16 disposals, 10 tackles), Mithen (16 and 12) and Eden Zanker (18 and eight) in the thick of the action.

Harris finished as the game's only multiple goalkicker with two majors.

There were 178 tackles laid - the highest combined tally between two teams in AFLW history - in a physical contest, while the Demons showed their strength in the contested possession count (116-90).

"Gold Coast are basing their game around the contest and have started the season really strongly, and Adelaide certainly beat us in that area last week, so that was a big part of it for us,"