McGrath was in sensational form at the Waca on Sunday

McGrath took 8-24 in Pakistan's second innings as they were bowled out for a pitiful 72 to be thrashed by 491 runs on day four of the Perth Test.

But the veteran seamer said: "When I had seven [wickets] I thought, 'this might be my best chance for a 10-for."

"Then [Michael Kasprowicz] got the eighth wicket, and put an end to that, but that's the way it goes."

McGrath, with 472 wickets in 104 Tests, surpassed his previous best analysis of 8-38 against England at Lord's in 1997.

Scorecard: Full details from the Waca

But the record for an Australian remains Arthur Mailey's 9-121 against England in Melbourne in 1921.

"That's as good as I've ever felt bowling," said McGrath.

"I really couldn't be happier. To walk off with eight wickets on a ground where I haven't taken as many wickets as I would have liked - it ranks up there with my greatest days in the middle."

The conditions are suited to fast bowlers, but McGrath was great... a match winner Ricky Ponting

McGrath missed a year of cricket with a long-term ankle injury, returning in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Darwin in July to claim match figures of 7-61.

"He bowled fantastically," said Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

"The conditions are suited to fast bowlers, but [McGrath] was great... a match winner."

Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar took three wickets at the start of the Test as Australia slipped to 78-5 on day one.

Then Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist combined in a 152-run stand that swung the momentum back in favour of the home team.

There is an element of mental confusion Bob Woolmer Pakistan coach

"We were in trouble early, but we turned it around. To win by nearly 500 runs goes to say something about this team," said Ponting.

"We've performed exceedingly well."

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was left clutching at straws as he sought to explain the defeat.

He said: "Obviously there is an element of mental confusion or mental awe within the performance.