West Coast has suffered its second-heaviest defeat of the season, going down to Melbourne by 83 points at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons had winners all over the ground in a dominant display, spearheaded by skipper Max Gawn and an experienced, quality midfield brigade.
Melbourne took the upper hand early before blasting away with a 10-goal third quarter to claim a 21.13 (139) to 8.8 (56) win.
Gawn (21 disposals, 29 hitouts, 14 contested possessions, eight marks) set the tone around the ball as Melbourne's midfield smashed West Coast's onball division.
The Demons were tougher and more committed, commanding clearances (40-30), contested possessions (145-103) and inside 50s (58-45).
Vice-captain Jack Viney (25 disposals, 13 clearances, 20 contested possessions) played his 234th AFL game, surpassing father and club great Todd, and was typically brutal in the midfield.
He had support from Clayton Oliver (28 touches) and Christian Salem (30 disposals), while Kysaiah Pickett's class (26 disposals) shone through.
Bayley Fritsch kicked four goals while Harrison Petty (three), Harvey Langford (three), Jacob van Rooyen (two) and former Eagle Jai Culley (two) chipped in.
It was just more pain for the last-placed Eagles, who have already indicated their plans to seek draft assistance from the AFL.
Unconditional defender Reuben Ginbey gave everything but it was impossible to stem the tide.
Playing his first game for the season after ankle surgery, wingman Campbell Chesser showed his run and carry and was one of the few bright spots on a tough day with 17 disposals and a goal.
Tom McCarthy (26 disposals) continued his impressive start to his career after being recruited in the mid-season rookie draft, while Jamie Cripps kicked two goals from limited opportunities.
The Demons were dominant early but only booted three goals, before Ryan Maric (29 disposals) West Coast's first from back-to-back 50-metre penalties late in the first term.
Melbourne led by 15 at quarter-time, then 22 at the main break.
Eagle Liam Ryan had a nasty head clash with Trent Rivers and had to come off for treatment on a gash, but returned to play with a bandaged head.
The Eagles traded goals with the Dees early in the third quarter, but Melbourne consistently threatened to break the game open and did so in the back half of the term.
When Gawn marked and nudged the Demons out to a 50-point lead late in the third, to the delight of the home fans, the job was done.
With a 63-point buffer at three-quarter time, Melbourne kicked away in the last.
Next Sunday, the Demons play the finals-chasing Western Bulldogs at the MCG, while West Coast faces high-flying Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
MELBOURNE 3.5 6.7 16.9 21.13 (139)
WEST COAST 1.2 3.3 6.6 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 4, Petty 3, Langford 3, van Rooyen 2, Culley 2, Viney, Rivers, Petracca, Melksham, Langdon, Gawn, Chandler
West Coast: Cripps 2, Shanahan, Ryan, Reid, Maric, Chesser, Brockman
BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Viney, Pickett, Petracca, Oliver, Fritsch
West Coast: Ginbey, McCarthy, Chesser, Maric, Cole
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Harry Sharp (replaced Jake Melksham in the fourth quarter)
West Coast: Hamish Davis (replaced Tyrell Dewar in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium
