A third-straight win and the successful returns of three key players from injury have Melbourne flexing their considerable AFLW muscle.

The Demons backed up from their upset away win over Adelaide last week to lead from the start on Sunday, beating St Kilda by 14 points at Moorabbin.

Veterans Paxy Paxman and Eden Zanker (two goals) returned in the 6.8 (44) to 5.0 (30) win, while Olivia Purcell played her first senior game this season.

Purcell, who kicked a goal, wore a face guard after needing surgery for serious injuries she suffered in a collision during a pre-season match.

Melbourne's late season resurgence leaves them 11th on a 4-4 record, equal on points with the eighth-placed Saints.

The Demons' poor percentage of 68.4 - St Kilda is on 110.6 - effectively means they remain a game outside the eight.

But the 2022 premiers and last season's semi-finalists are finding form and regaining key players at the right time, with three more matches to the finals.

"For this group to stay positive, and now win three in a row, it's got us right in the mix," said Melbourne coach Mick Stinear.

"Now the team's just focused on competing hard and playing good footy together, no matter who the opponent, no matter what the expectation - let go of expectations and tying ourselves up in knots.

"We've been through that, now we just want to get after it."

Stinear also noted the Demons beat the Crows on Wednesday night without Paxman, Zanker and Purcell.

"Those three loved watching the team play last Wednesday night," he said.

"They were really inspired by that. It wasn't going to be a case of them coming in and things were going to happen for us."

Stinear said Purcell needed five or six weeks of rest after her facial fractures and could not raise her heartrate above 100.

"She hasn't taken a backward step and even playing with that mask is not an easy thing to do - tough to breathe, tough to communicate," he said.

"She really showed her passion and love for this team while she was out and then she's worked really hard to get back in - she made us a better team today."

Tyla Hanks was the firestarter for the Demons, racking up seven clearances in the first term and 12 for the game.

Captain Kate Hore also had 11 tackles as she and Hanks drove Melbourne, who kept St Kilda scorless and kicked two goals in the opening term to take the initiative.

"The Dees controlled the majority of the game through their ability to own clearances - we got beaten comfortably in that space," said Saints coach Nick Dal Santo.

"We got beaten comfortably with contested possession as well."

After beating her dangerous tackle suspension at the tribunal during the week, Saints star Jaimee Lambert only had two disposals to halftime, although she was prominent late as her side challenged.

Saints key forward Jesse Wardlaw kicked her third goal in the last quarter, but that was the last goal as Melbourne closed out the match.

Demon Eliza McNamara had a game-high 31 possessions and St Kilda's Serene Watson had 18 disposals in her 50th match.