The 20-year old took advantage of the Tigers later start next weekend to destroy the Saints in the 26.6 (162) to 11.9 (75) win in front of a bumper Easter crowd.

“He probably only spent 25 per cent of the game forward,” Hoppers’ co-coach Clint Gilson said.

“He’s definitely a lot fitter because I’ve done some running with him and he’s absolutely smashed me from where we were last year.”

Gilson is a super-fit non-playing coach, so Mannagh’s superior fitness was just one of the many reasons the Saints had no answer.

“He’s a class player, you can match him in some areas, but you can’t match him in others,” Saints’ co-coach Terry Burgess said.

“That’s why he’s playing VFL, he knows how to kick a goal.”

The livewire played mainly for the Hoppers in the first half of last year, but then moved to the Tigers’ ranks, where he played in the losing grand final.

“It’s hard to say how many games I will play for North Albury this year,” Mannagh said.

“With all the AFL boys so fit and healthy at the Tigers, hopefully I won’t get back here too often, but I just wanted to get back and help out the boys and have wins like this.”

Not even North’s most passionate fans could have seen that demolition coming.

The Hoppers were the biggest recruiters, picking up former AFL player Chris Schmidt, but the club still won only three games last season.

North’s Lachie Taylor-Nugent kicked a goal in the first minute but the Saints then dominated possession for the next 12 minutes.

However the home team missed some chances and the Hoppers pounced.

North kicked six goals to one in the second quarter and then blasted 10 in the third, including seven in 10 minutes.

“It was pretty surprising to be honest, I didn’t expect to come here and win like that,” Gilson said.