Trailing by 10 points at the final change, the Hoppers kicked eight goals to two in the last quarter to win 17.18 (120) to 14.8 (92) and move two games clear inside the top five.

Whitehead, who had been held goalless in the previous two rounds, was the catalyst for the victory with three final-quarter goals as the Hoppers finished full of running despite playing just five days earlier against Albury.

Wangaratta, coming off a bruising derby defeat, looked the fresher of the two teams in the first term and, kicking with the breeze, took a two-goal advantage into the opening break.

North Albury hit back in the second quarter and would have been more than six points up at half-time had it not kicked a wasteful 4.8 to 2.2 for the term.

Ben Fulford kicked the first goal of the third quarter to put the Hoppers 13 points ahead but from that moment on, it was all Wangaratta with Matt Grossman leading the way out of defence.

First-gamer Joe Richards kicked two quick goals while big man Jade Cleeland booted three majors in a purple patch that saw the Magpies hold a 16-point buffer.

But, as they’ve done in the three weeks prior, the Magpies coughed up a three-quarter-time lead as Whitehead, Dom Brew and Fulford, who finished with 3.6, took control for the Hoppers to register their fourth win of the season.

“I was really concerned at half-time that we weren’t going to be able keep up our running because of the five-day break,” Hoppers coach Jason Akermanis said.

“I’m really proud of the boys because that was a tough game. Thankfully our fitness came to the fore.

“The competition is really tight and that second, third, fourth spot might come down to the last round.

“We want to turn 7-2 but we’re going to have to work hard for it.”

Akermanis, who impressed with more than 30 possessions in defence, left the field late in the match with a tight groin but expected to be fit to take on Yarrawonga in round seven.

Magpies coach Brendan Cairns described the loss as “really disappointing”.

“Finals are still our aim but if we don’t get a result in the next two weeks we don’t have to worry about finals,” he said.