WODONGA crashed out of the league’s top five for the first time this season with a 35-point loss to Wangaratta at John Flower Oval.
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The Bulldogs have lost their past three matches and this week had no answer to Brendan Cairns’ slick midfield.
The match was in the visitors’ keeping after a devastating 7.1 to 1.3 first quarter on Saturday.
Despite the late inclusion of former coach Ben Hollands, Wodonga came out flat.
It immediately paid a heavy price with Jamie Allan, Matt Kelly, Jesse Smith and Daine Porter continually slamming the ball forward to Robbie Hicks, Matt Westhoff and Joel Harris.
Cairns said the Magpies were eager to build on recent wins against Wangaratta Rovers and Corowa-Rutherglen.
“We really wanted to beat someone in the top five on the ladder and we achieved that today,” Cairns said.
“We came ready to play today and used the ball well in the first quarter.
“It set the scene for the rest of the day.
“It was a good team effort.”
Although Wodonga pegged the deficit back to 17 points in the third quarter, Wangaratta always came up with a quick reply and Westhoff’s brilliant running goal late in the term seeming broke the Bulldogs’ spirit.
Hicks and Harris worked well together inside 50 metres while Zack Leitch and Michael Bordignon showed their value to the team after interrupted seasons.
Wodonga looked more like the 2014 model than this year’s improved line-up with Joel Heiner, Mitch Stephenson, Mckye Turner under constant pressure in defence.
Josh Hicks had his moments with two goals while Daniel Bradshaw booted four to shade young Jamie Anderson.
First-gamer Trent McMullan had his moments for Wod- onga, particularly in the third quarter.
Wodonga faces a tough task to regroup against Lavington on Saturday while Wangaratta takes on Myrtleford at Norm Minns Oval.