Wangaratta enhanced its chances of reclaiming a position in the top-three by destroying Yarrawonga by 76 points at Norm Minns Oval on Sunday.
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Despite losing coach Luke Morgan early with concussion, the Magpies were back to their brilliant best with their top guns in full flight.
Ben Speight and Brad Melville kicked five goals each while Josh Porter dragged down 11 marks.
In further good news, Michael Newton is close to returning from a hamstring injury and Dylan Van Berlo came through his comeback match in the reserves unscathed.
Newton, who coached after Morgan was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, said the Magpies were starting to gain some momentum.
"It's good to see we are getting back to a bit of form," Newton said.
"Yarrawonga is a quality side and were always going to come out hard and give us everything they had, but we got on top of all the important areas early and hit the scoreboard.
"It was a good performance."
Yarrawonga coach Damien Sexton conceded his side let an opportunity slip after fellow finals contenders Wangaratta Rovers and Wodonga Raiders lost on Saturday.
"I came here with a bit of confidence in regards to putting pressure on them and we did for a quarter but gee whiz we got a footy lesson after that," Sexton said.
"We went down hill pretty quickly.
"We thought we had an opportunity to control our future, but now we go back to where everyone relies on each other."
Meanwhile, Albury's Daniel Cross picked up 30-plus possessions in his first match of the season against Wodonga on Saturday.
He was particularly destructive early in the Tigers' big win and will play when free of AFL commitments with Melbourne.
