Wodonga led by seven points at three quarter-time, but managed just three behinds in the final term as the Magpies kicked the only two goals to emerge with a seven-point win.

Bradshaw was outstanding with 5.4, but missed out on at least two free kicks, leaving Harding ruing those, and the decision to pay one at the other end to Matt Westhoff for shepherding in a marking contest against Jack Russell when the Magpie had cannoned into the Bulldog’s back on the lead.

“You want games to be won or lost by the players, you don’t want other influences doing that, and they did tonight,” Harding said.

“Hopefully the powers that be look at the reviews as we do and can correct those things.

“Because Bradshaw is a big name and he plays with us he doesn’t get a thing.”

Harding said he had requested a meeting with those “powers that be” earlier in the season, but that hadn’t eventuated.

The match started as a free-flowing contest, but with countless skill errors.

Wangaratta was led by wingman Liam Harrington, who picked up 30 possessions and used the ball consistently better than anybody on the field, while Matt Kelly, Jamie Allan and Michael Bordignon were tireless.

Daine Porter showed moments of class and Aiden Bihun had a good second half.

Bradshaw was a powerful presence, proving far too strong for Jamie Anderson, while Matt Seiter dominated the ruck with 26 touches, seven marks and 29 hitouts.

Nathan Vogel was outstanding in blanketing Magpies star Robbie Hicks, who had just five touches and didn’t manage a shot on goal, finishing the game with a sore leg.

Ben Hollands had moments of brilliance, highlighted by a bullet pass to Bradshaw for a goal in the third term, followed by a running shot from the boundary two minutes later.

But he also missed a couple of crucial shots in the last term as Wangaratta won when Westhoff received his free kick and goalled at the 20-minute mark, followed by Porter beating three opponents to drill a long major 30 seconds later.

Poor discipline also hurt Wodonga, with the Magpies kicking goals from 50m and 100m penalties in the first half as a result of backchat.

Wangaratta coach Brendan Cairns said the game proved that night football had a future.

“The facilities and the lights are amazing here, it was a great atmosphere and it’s certainly something that should be embraced going forward,” he said.