West Coast have been given a brutal lesson in what it takes to be a top-four side as Eden Zanker led Melbourne to a thumping 51-point victory with five goals at Casey Fields.

The Eagles were outclassed from the opening bounce as they were thrashed in the clearances and outworked around the ground.

The young side’s speed advantage was nullified by the Demons’ size and doggedness around the ball, even West Coast’s best forced into uncharacteristic errors.

Abbygail Bushby was the visitor’s best, collecting 24 disposals, five tackles and five clearances, as star Ella Roberts copped constant attention and Isabella Lewis struggled with a hip injury before being ruled out in the third term.

Three defenders did their best to halt Zanker, but the extra attention on the spearhead opened space fo

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