Wangaratta is still looking for its first win of the season and the dust is still settling since Mark Knobel left his position as coach a fortnight ago.

But co-captain Xavier Norden said the positive signs shown in Brendan Cairns’ first game in charge against Albury meant there was plenty to look forward to.

And no one has mentioned the “f-word”.

“We haven’t even thought about finals,” Norden said.

“We’ve played three games and there’s 15 more to go.

“After three games and not one win it’s not the perfect start at all.

“But there were positive signs coming up against Albury and a couple of things we can take out of that, as we play Lavington this week and then Wangaratta Rovers — we’re just hoping to get that first win on the board in the next couple of weeks.

“And if you look at the results I think the competition has got a lot more even — I don’t know if anyone could pick the correct top five, those spots are up for grabs for sure.

“If you can string a couple of wins together you never know, come June or July it might be a lot different to how we’re all sitting now.”

The Magpies showed glimpses of potential against the Tigers, leading midway through the final term before being overrun.

And Norden said Cairns, a familiar face at Norm Minns Oval, would have a positive effect.

“He came in and he was really clear with his expectations, what he wanted out of the Albury game, how he wanted us to play,” he said.

“The boys took it on and had a red-hot crack.

“In the past couple of weeks he’s got to know the boys, individual players.

“He’s known around the club, a lot of guys playing now played footy with him and the younger guys are getting to know him — not just as footballers but as individuals.

“And now he’s settled in and set his expectations, the next step is looking at the game plan and style.

“He’s not come in trying to re-invent the wheel.

“We’ll know a lot more in the coming months where we’re sitting and where we’re heading, and hopefully we can take some of that Albury form against Lavington.

“They’re a very good unit, drilled and coached well, but hopefully come Saturday we’re ready to go and we’ll see what happens.”