Karen Paxman believes Melbourne’s third-quarter blitz will give the team belief

MELBOURNE ball magnet Karen Paxman says the Demons have belief they can match it with the AFLW’s best after a blistering third term.

Karen Paxman tackles Amelia Barden on Saturday night.

MELBOURNE ball magnet Karen Paxman says the Demons have belief they can match it with the AFLW’s best after a blistering third term almost certainly ended Collingwood’s premiership hopes.

The Demons kicked just a single goal in their Round 1 loss to the Lions but poured on 4.1 in the third term and six unanswered goals in the second half to bury the Magpies at Ikon Park.

Paxman was brilliant with 15 touches, her long bomb goal central to the third-quarter onslaught.

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“I felt mind blown (when I kicked it),” Paxman said.

“Each goal just lifted us that bit more and gave us that confidence that was just sitting there waiting to come out.

“The goals helped us get us into gear … I think the girls in the team, now they believe in themselves.

“We’ve seen what we can do.”

The speed and composure of Cat Phillips, who kicked two goals in the third term, was crucial.

“She was our focus,” Paxman said.

“She’s so fast, we hadn’t really been utilising her properly.

“That was our focus tonight, to get it out, not just to her, but out into that open space for us to run, because we do have such a running side. We’re dangerous when we get it out.”

Phillips kicked a great goal from the boundary and another on the run and said her ultimate frisbee background had been invaluable.

“The one on the boundary I was probably just trying to get rid of it,” Phillips said.

“The one running into goals, I’ve been working on that.

Melbourne players celebrate their first AFLW win.

“I think the quick movement we have in ultimate (frisbee) is really good for being able to get around people.”

Phillips said the disappointment of the loss to the Lions in Round 1 burned.

“Coming into the third quarter we were all going in trying to put in more effort to show the competition we’re competitive and we belong,” she said.

“I think we showed in the second half tonight that we took it to them and I think we can do that with any team in the competition.”

Collingwood, who led by 19 points at halftime but failed to score after the long break, have to win their last five matches and make up a big percentage to have any chance of reaching the Grand Final.

Originally published as Karen Paxman believes Melbourne’s third-quarter blitz will give the team belief