Karen Paxman and Tayla Harris have played key roles to lead Melbourne to a 64-point AFLW thumping of the Western Bulldogs.

Paxman was instrumental early but had to undergo a concussion test after a nasty clash of heads with teammate Lauren Pearce moments before half-time at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The experienced midfielder recovered and finished with 19 disposals in the Demons' commanding 10.13 (73) to 1.3 (9) victory.

Harris kicked two goals from 14 disposals and held her own against in-form Bulldog Alice Edmonds when moved into the ruck after half-time, with first-choice ruck Pearce sidelined.

Olivia Purcell (25 disposals), Eliza West (24 disposals, one goal) and Alyssa Bannan (three goals) were also influential for the Demons.

The result put Melbourne level on wins with top sides Brisbane and Adelaide — as well as fourth-placed Collingwood — and gave the Demons a huge percentage boost from 166.0 to 201.2.

The loss could be disastrous for the Bulldogs, who have now slipped outside the top eight on percentage and lost Elisabeth Georgostathis to a hamstring injury late in the match.

Ellie Blackburn became the seventh AFLW player to reach 1,000 career disposals, racking up a team-high tally of 18 for the Bulldogs.

But the Bulldogs' captain lacked support in a midfield unit that was well beaten, with Melbourne dominating territory and winning the inside-50 count in a landslide (40-12).

The Demons also took 19 marks inside-50 to the Bulldogs' three.

Magpies too strong for Giants

Collingwood overcame its own wastefulness to ease past GWS by 32 points and consolidate its top-four spot in skipper Steph Chiocci's 50th AFLW match.

The Magpies smashed the Giants around the contest, but their inaccuracy kept the match alive until they kicked away in the second half to prevail 6.10 (46) to 2.2 (14).

The victory keeps Collingwood level with Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne on 24 points — only behind the top trio on percentage — and a full match clear of Geelong and Richmond.

GWS had a sole rushed behind until Jodie Hicks goaled five minutes into the fourth term and youngster Brodee Mowbray added another in the final minute.

Collingwood's midfield delighted in Alison Downie's ruck dominance, with gun on-baller Jaimee Lambert (23 disposals) starring.

Lambert was well-supported by Jordyn Allen (19 disposals, eight marks) and Chloe Molloy turned in a typically eye-catching performance, booting two goals.

GWS gun Alyce Parker (20 disposals, eight clearances) worked her way into the match, while Tarni Evans and Katherine Smith worked hard and skipper Alicia Eva (16 disposals, eight tackles) was tireless.

Cats take down Bombers

Geelong is marching towards its first AFLW finals appearance after all but extinguishing Essendon's faint top-eight hopes with a 15-point win over the Bombers in Warrnambool.

Cats forward Chloe Scheer kicked three goals — including two at the start of the final term — as Geelong withstood a Maddy Prespakis masterclass to prevail 6.7 (43) to 4.4 (28).

It was the first time the Cats had won three matches on the bounce in their AFLW history.

The Bombers — who dominated the Cats in clearances and inside-50s — were left to rue inefficiency going forward.

The Cats are now on 20 points to be fifth on the ladder, while the Bombers (eight points) sit two wins outside the finals places with three rounds left.

Prespakis racked up match-high totals of 37 disposals, 10 clearances, 23 contested possessions and 387 metres gained for the Bombers.

Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood and forward Paige Scott booted two goals apiece and consistently threatened.

The Cats were without Prespakis's younger sister Georgie through suspension but Amy McDonald (25 disposals, 12 tackles) was typically prolific, despite suffering a nasty gash to the head.

Meanwhile, Cats skipper Meg McDonald marshalled a disciplined defence to help her side consolidate their position inside the top eight.

AAP