Record-breaking Demons destroy Dockers

Daisy Pearce has kicked five goals as Melbourne produced a record-breaking 88-point AFLW win against depleted Fremantle to jump to the top of the ladder.

The Demons showed no mercy at Optus Stadium against the Dockers, who were already without reigning AFLW best and fairest winner Kiara Bowers (knee) and Gabby O'Sullivan (COVID-19 protocols) and lost key trio Ebony Antonio, Kara Antonio and Emma O'Driscoll entering the league's health and safety protocols on game day.

Melbourne capitalised on their good fortune as they broke the record for the largest AFLW score, set last week by the Brisbane Lions, along with the largest margin in league history, triumphing 16.11 (107) to 3.1 (19).

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The Demons' third term, kicking 7.1 without reply, was the best quarter in AFLW history.

The match was crucial in the race for the top two but the weakened Dockers -- forced to field three debutants including top-up player Mikayla Western - were no match for Melbourne who excelled with their kick-mark style.

The percentage-boosting win not only firmed up a top-two berth for the Demons but offered hope of finishing above Adelaide in the race for the minor premiership.

Along with Pearce, Lily Mithen (25 disposals) and Kate Hore (16 disposals and three goals) starred on Saturday.

"We really wanted to bring it all together today for four quarters and I feel like we did that," Pearce said.

"They're an opponent that we really respect. I know they had a lot of outs today but we really focused in on our role and little things like our defence fighting to the death in the last quarter."

Despite their list of absentees, Fremantle kicked the first goal of the game from Makaela Tuhakaraina, but the