WANGARATTA threw a 26-point lead away against Wodonga to lose their third game on the trot at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday night.

The Magpies grabbed the ascendency in the third term, however, a bullish Bulldogs booted five goals in nine minutes to win 13.11 (89) to 16.1 (97).

The Bulldogs were three points up with two minutes remaining and had the ball deep in their forward line when Wangaratta defender Ryan Battin went to handball the ball to Aidan Tilley, but missed his man and went out of bounds.

The umpire deemed the handball deliberate out of the bounds with the free kick going to Ethan Redcliffe who snapped it through to give his side the win.

Wodonga skipper Jack O’Sullivan was unstoppable racking up 33 touches, while Noah Spiteri kicked five goals for the visitors in a crafty display.

For the Magpies, Fraser Holland-Dean kicked four majors and Alex Federico and Daine Porter led from the front in the midfield.

Similarly to last season the Magpies are now winless from their first three games and need to find form quickly with a tough match-up against Yarrawonga next.

The Pigeons were seen as the team to beat in 2024 after taking out the 2023 premiership, however, reasonably tight wins over Lavington (11 points) and Myrtleford (25 points) may suggest they’re as gettable as ever.