Melbourne have cruised to a 49-point AFL win over the Western Bulldogs, but the Demons hold serious fears for star defender Jake Lever.

The 22-year-old took no further part in the 15.10 (100) to 7.9 (51) win at Etihad Stadium after he twisted his left knee in Saturday afternoon’s first quarter.

Lever did not reappear on the bench and was reportedly sent for scans on the knee he had had reconstructed as a junior.

After a slow start, the Demons consolidated their spot in the top four with their sixth win in a row.

Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver set new career-highs with 39 and 37 possessions respectively, and Jesse Hogan kicked five goals for Melbourne.

Lachie Hunter (32) and Jack Macrae (31) had plenty of ball, but it was another maddeningly inconsistent performance from the Bulldogs.

The Demons had won 18 quarters in a row going into the clash, but the Dogs ended that streak with a bright start.

The appetite for contested ball that had been sporadic this season was on show, as the Bulldogs booted the first three goals of the game to lead by eight points at quarter-time.

Melbourne were riding high after a 91-point thumping of Adelaide and they found their rhythm in the second term.

After a quiet start, Max Gawn imposed himself on the contest as the Demons roared to life kicking five goals to one to lead by 16 points at the main break.

Luke Beveridge’s side were held goalless in a miserable second half in last week’s loss to Collingwood, but Marcus Bontempelli converted from close range 30 seconds after the restart.

Melbourne weren’t in the same formidable form as they displayed against the Crows in Alice Springs, but their eighth win of the season looked in the bag from a long way out.

The Bulldogs had won just one last quarter in a disappointing season heading into round 11.

They trailed by 29 points at three-quarter time and their poor finishes continued, with Hogan booting two goals for the term.

Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson also left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.