THE hearts of the black and white army were shattered on Sunday as Wangaratta Magpies' senior footballers lost to North Albury by two points in the first semi-final at WJ Findlay Oval.

The Magpies held a 10-point lead at three quarter time, but the Hoppers produced great footy when it mattered to come home 12.10 (82) to Wangaratta’s 12.8 (80).

Wangaratta looked on fire early with a six goal to three opening quarter, but North Albury were able to leap back into the contest using their speed in the second term.

A tense and electric second half saw momentum and the lead seesaw, but the Hoppers had the fresh legs to run over the top and into a preliminary final by two points.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid said his side had been outworked by a healthier outfit.

“I’m proud of our effort to hang in there all day, we probably had two or three blokes out on the field who probably shouldn’t have been out there had it been a regular season game,” he said.

“They just outworked us, to be honest.

“Whenever there was a one-on-one contest on the wing or up forward, they had a second or third player there.

“They just outnumbered us at the contest and then we were too slow to get to it, then they got us on the overlap from there.

“The last half I thought was a real arm wrestle – both teams throwing everything at each other which you expect in a do-or-die final.

“Credit to them, they’ll be pretty tough to beat next week.”

Mark Anderson was outstanding in a selfless tagging role on Hoppers’ superstar playing coach Tim Broomhead, while Aiden Tilley was impressive in defence and Callum Moore booted four goals in his first game back after missing eight weeks with a hamstring injury.

“‘Broomy’ is a really good player, and we thought we were a bit light on for our mids with some guys missing through injury and whatnot, so we tried to take away one of their better players,’ Reid said.

“I thought Mark did a fantastic job on him, Harry Smart was another one who was really strong.

“‘Cal’ Moore up forward came back and kicked 4.4, Aiden Tilley down back was really strong again."

It was an unfortunate swansong for Magpies captain and 351-gamer Daine Porter, who was chaired off the ground in his final outing in the black and white.

It was also the last hurrah for Magpies' Michael Newton, Callum Moore, and Reid himself.

“The three of those boys have been fantastic servants for the footy club, particularly Daine and ‘Juice’ (Newton) who have been there for a long time,” Reid said.

“The amount of effort those two have put in, it’s something the whole footy club should be really thankful for – I know I certainly am as their coach, they’re two fantastic blokes and I’ve really enjoyed my time.

"Cal Moore, he’s just a freak with some of the stuff he can do - he had eight weeks out with a hammy, so to come back and do that just shows his talent.

“Thank you to the whole footy club and everyone involved, the volunteers, supporters and players for my time here, I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.

“We’ve got the reserves and thirds still alive, so hopefully we can get some silverware in the next couple of years.”

The Hoppers take on Wangaratta Rovers this weekend at Birallee Park, with the winner to take on Yarrawonga in the grand final.