Newton kicked nine goals in one of the best performances by a Magpies full-forward in a derby as the home side ran away with a 19.10 (124) to 9.13 (67) victory.

The victory puts the Magpies within two points of the top five and if they can defeat North Albury on Saturday, they are almost certain to overtake either Wodonga Raiders or Myrtleford, who play Albury and Yarrawonga respectively.

The Hawks challenged the Magpies after half-time, kicking the first three goals of the third quarter to open a nine-point lead.

But from the six-minute mark of the third term, it was all Wangaratta as the Magpies piled on 12 goals to one in an awesome show of strength.

Newton was the architect.

The former Melbourne forward lasted just two minutes when the sides met in round five but the only reason he finished the match on the bench on Sunday was from leather poisoning.

Newton was slotting them from everywhere with his sixth goal from a tight angle bringing the crowd to its feet in the third term before the accomplished fast bowler produced a leg-break Shane Warne would have been proud of for his eighth major just before the final change.

“It was nice to play well,” the Norwood premiership player said.

“Obviously last time didn’t go the way I wanted.

“The Rovers gave it to me all day today but I was able to respond and kick some goals.

“They didn’t have much to say after that.

“Today was a good challenge for us because regardless of ladder positions it’s always a tough game between the teams.

“Every game is really important for us for the rest of the season, we can’t really afford to drop any.”

Matt Grossman continued his foray into the forward line with four goals while Murray Bushrangers Daniel Sharrock and Nick Richards also impressed.

Rovers co-coach Sam Carpenter, who had been a key factor in keeping the Hawks in the match, sat out the final term with a hamstring complaint and he looks in doubt to take on his former club Corowa-Rutherglen at the W.J. Findlay Oval on Saturday.