Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett has produced an AFL mark-of-the-year contender as the highlight of his side's important 54-point thrashing of West Coast.
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Pickett took a perfect ride on Josh Rotham's back to haul in a spectacular third-quarter grab and added two goals in the Demons' 17.10 (112) to 8.10 (58) win at the MCG on Sunday.
The result lifted Simon Goodwin's men to within touching distance of the top eight, sitting outside the finals places on percentage with a 9-7 record.
Key forward Jacob van Rooyen had four majors by halftime and finished with 4.4 as the most prolific of nine Demons goal-kickers in the comfortable victory.
Bayley Fritsch kicked three and Jake Melksham added two in a welcome return from a long-term knee injury.
But Melksham could face scrutiny from the match review officer over high contact with direct opponent Jeremy McGovern off the ball.
Trent Rivers continued his strong midfield form in the absence of injured star Christian Petracca, racking up game-high tallies of 29 disposals and seven clearances.
Caleb Windsor (25 touches), Ed Langdon (23) and Christian Salem (22) were also busy.
West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen competed strongly after quarter-time and kicked 4.3 from 10 disposals in his best return since coming back from a knee injury.
Tim Kelly (23 touches, seven clearances) and Elliot Yeo (21, four) fought hard for the Eagles.
No.1 draft pick Harley Reid torched Melbourne in their previous meeting in May but was quieter this time, finishing with 16 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances.
Melbourne youngster Koltyn Tholstrup kicked the first two goals of the game - the first majors of his fledgling AFL career - as the Demons produced their best opening term of the season.
The Dees hurt their opponents on the spread and held a commanding 37-point lead at quarter-time.
West Coast had the better of the play for periods of the second term but didn't make it count on the scoreboard and trailed 11.5 to 3.4 at the main break.
Reid helped create the first of two Eagles goals to start the second half but Melbourne quickly steadied and killed off any thoughts the visitors had of a comeback with the next three goals.
Demons captain Max Gawn converted a set shot to extend his side's lead to 55 points entering time-on of the third term and the game was firmly in their control.
Gawn hurt his right ankle and was substituted out of the game as a precaution during the final quarter.
Kade Chandler tried to match Pickett's grab with a successful leap and mark over Reid.
Australian Associated Press
