The Panthers produced a dominant second half showing to bounce back strongly from their shock loss to Myrtleford last round with a crushing 72-point win.

They have climbed to second spot, but the Magpies took a step backwards in the rebuild under replacement coach Brendan Cairns.

One match on from briefly heading flag favourites Albury in the final quarter, the Magpies remain winless and have fresh injury concerns in the lead up to the Wangaratta derby next round.

Lavington was missing suspended key forward Justin Koschitzke, but still piled on 16 second-half goals from some familiar faces and a not so familiar one.

Luke Garland was best afield in booting six goals including three in the first term.

Adam Prior started the final quarter on the bench due to severe cramp, but returned to the field to finish with six goals including four in the last term.

But second gamer Daniel Hitchens was the Panthers surprise packet.

The Magpies trailed by 22 points at half-time and trimmed the margin to 15 early in third before the Ganmain Grong Grong Matong recruit put paid to the visitors’ revival.

In an inspired burst, Hitchens kicked three goals in four minutes before adding another two in the last term as the Panthers cruised home.

The Panthers dominated around the packs due to the efforts of Sam Harris and Mitch Palmer and a resolute defence.

Their score of 24.13 was just shy of the 24.18 they kicked against Wodonga Raiders in round 15 last season.

By comparison the Panthers kicked 6.20 against the Saints last round and hadn’t kicked more than 100 points in their previous three games this season.

Lavington coach James Saker said his team responded well from last round defeat.

“We failed to execute the basics against Myrtleford,” he said.

“It is not rocket science.

“We stuck fat with what we know works.”

The Magpies chances of pushing into the top five this season is in tatters and next week face a rejuvenated arch rival Wangaratta Rovers who reeled in a 49-point half-time deficit to break their duck on Saturday.

Wangaratta was well served by Judd Porter and Jamie Allan and youngsters Patrick Eefting and Matt Teasdale toiled hard.

Speedster Robbie Hicks was also dangerous around goal and finished with four.

The Magpies cause wasn’t helped by hamstring injuries to key forward James Harris and Dylan Van Berlo.

Daniel Boyle was also a late omission.

Coach Brendan Cairns struggled to find positives from the performance.

“Half way through the third quarter we were happy with how we were going,” he said.

“It was the mental application rather than the skill application that let us down.

“The reality is we are on the bottom.

“The only way back is to roll our sleeves up and work our way out of it.”