Olivia Purcell made up for lost time and Kate Hore showed she is still one of the AFLW’s elite as they took Melbourne to a first-up 19-point win over Hawthorn on Thursday night.
Purcell played her first game since injuring her knee early last season and the onballer shone throughout the night posting 32 disposals and 354 metres gained while Hore dominated the first half finished with 22 disposals and nine score involvements.
Former Blue Mia Austin also starred in her first proper outing with the Demons kicking four goals and looking equally adept on the lead or creating goals from open play.
The Hawks recovered well from a horror start going four goals down before taking the lead via Aine McDonagh (three goals) late in the third term. The Irishwoman formed an impressive partnership with former Gold Coast key forward Jacqui Dupuy who finished with nine marks and a goal.
But with scores tied heading into the last quarter, it was all the Demons who kicked three quick goals to secure the win.
Demons ruck Jacinta Hose went off with an ankle injury in her first game after multiple injury battles.