For the first time since 2022, Wangaratta Magpies are minor premiers of senior O&M footy.

The ‘Pies secured the first week of finals off with a dominant 78-point win at home to fellow finalists Wodonga, 25.11 (161) to 13.5 (83).

The first half was dominated by the black and white, with the Magpies’ mids linking up with their forwards to perfection.

They kicked seven goals in the first term and eight in the second, roaring out to a 61-point half-time lead.

While they had plenty of the ball, Wodonga couldn’t get as many clean entries and good looks on goal, with Wangaratta’s defensive work and transition from the backline overpowering the Bulldogs.

Wangaratta’s Xavier Laverty was the major beneficiary of his teammate’s work up the ground, with the big forward cashing in with seven goals for the match.

James McClounan continued his golden run in front of goal with four majors, while Aidan Tilley (four), Jackson Clarke (two), Lachie Kennett (two) and Josh Tweedale also hit the scoreboard.

Coach Jason Heatley said it was positive to end the home and away season on top of the ladder, aided in large parts with their clean ball use and transition play.

“The wins take care of that stuff,” he said.

“For us, it’s just about wanting to get better – if we can improve small parts of our game weekly, that’s the result we’re looking for.

“I think it was more the way we moved the footy, we’d been a bit off two to three weeks prior.

“To get some influence around the midfield, I thought they dominated and certainly set us up, and the forwards capitalised – it makes it pretty tough to match up on them.”

Heatley praised his forwards, especially Laverty’s continued growth, with the big forward playing his first game with the Magpies since round 15.

“It was good to see him up and about and running on top of the ground,” he said.

“I thought his marking was excellent on Saturday, and he finished the work off.

“He’s got [Aidan] Tilley around him, Jacko [Clarke], Tyson [Young] – it certainly allows us to spread the ground a little bit, but for him to play team-first footy is what we all wanted to see.

“We certainly play our ground well, that obviously helps with running patterns by way of training.

“I thought [Daniel] Sharrock and Tyson Young, Jackson [Clarke] were good, and having [Jack] Mapleson back in the side, Joel Stevens, they certainly give us first use.”

The Magpies will take the first week of finals off, playing the winner of next weeks’ match between Wangaratta Rovers and Myrtleford.

It will be a repeat of Saturday’s round 18 clash, with the Rovers getting the job done at McNamara Reserve by 32 points, 12.15 (87) to 8.7 (55).

A strong second quarter proved to be the difference between the two sides, with the Rovers kicking 6.5 to the Saints’ 2.1, with the brown and gold leading by 34 points at the main break.

Scoring slowed down after half-time, with Myrtleford finding their feet, but the Rovers were able to hold off the Saints in a contested half of footy.

Noah Scholte was named best on ground for the visitors, finishing with four goals, while Charlie Thompson, Xavier Allison and Ed Dayman performed well.