The premiers piled on six goals to one behind in the wet in posting an 11.6 (72) to 7.6 (48) win.

“Our second quarter was what broke the game open,” coach Dean Stone said.

“We were unbelievable, it was nearly one of the best quarters we’ve played.”

Given the miserable conditions and quality of the opposition in the perennial finalists, the Pies’ classy quarter will worry opposition outfits.

They had demolished the five bottom sides heading into the game, but Stone said that easy run had no impact after the favourites trailed by five points at the first change.

“The goals that were kicked by Lavington in that first quarter were real crumbing, off the pack, kick off the ground sort of stuff,” Stone said.

“We were a little bit the same, it was always going to be one of those days where if you could get your nose in front and apply scoreboard pressure,  it was going to play a major role.”

The Pies went into the match without the league’s leading goalkicker in captain Michael Newton.

“Mick’s been ill and we took a punt, thinking it was going to be wet and cold and miserable and it certainly wasn’t going to do him any good,” Stone said.

Mitch Jensen came into the side after missing just one match with a hairline fracture of the wrist.

Wangaratta had six goalkickers with the ever improving Daniel Sharrock landing three.

The teenager is a contender for the club’s best and fairest, which is a magnificent achievement given the number of quality players.

Ex-SANFL player Mat Suckling and the pacy Jessie Smith kicked doubles.

Livewire Joe Richards was the visitors’ best, while defender Ben Douthie also played well in just his second game back from a knee complaint after missing a month.

In also his second game back after missing the first half of the year following a broken foot over the pre-season, Daniel Boyle also featured for the second week.

Adam Butler maintained his strong form, being named in the best for the third time in the past four games.

Nick Holman and coach Simon Curtis also played well in the club’s third successive loss.

The Pies have jumped above Wodonga Raiders into second, on percentage, and host them in next Saturday’s blockbuster.