The Saints grabbed an early eight-point lead, but managed only one goal apiece in the next three quarters as the visitors blasted 12 to post a 14.12 (96) to 6.8 (44) win.

“We had a lot on the line today, seven-two, and we wanted to consolidate third spot,” Pies’ coach Dean Stone said.

As it turned out, Wangaratta is now second after Lavington’s shock win over Yarrawonga.

“Our initial workrate and attack on the ball carrier was just average,” Stone said.

“And quarter time we really stepped it up, a lot more run, a lot more spread around the footy and our attack at the ball carrier improved.

“We just got a little bit more run and our workrate picked up a cog and we got some fast play going.”

“It broke open after that and I thought we really controlled the last three quarters.”

Spearhead Michael Newton kicked seven goals, while fellow ‘twin peak’ Josh Porter booted three.

The Saints didn’t have a key forward to match the Pies, as few clubs do, with Ryley Sharp the only multiple goalkicker with two.

But it would be unfair on Wangaratta’s workmanlike ethos to label gun forwards as the only difference between two teams heading in opposite directions.

After that sloppy start, the Pies simply wanted to win more than Myrtleford, which should have been desperate as it clings to finals survival.

“Yeah definitely, their intent at the footy was far greater than ours,” Saints’ coach Leigh Corcoran.

“They were first in and got in harder and lower and their workrate was far superior to ours.”

Livewire teenager Nick Richards was outstanding for the visitors, his pace and evasive skills proving too much as he claimed best on ground.

At the halfway mark, the Saints sit four-five with wins over the clear-cut bottom three, as well as the amazing second-half comeback against Lavington.

The Saints now sit two wins out of the top five and must beat Wodonga on Saturday.