The home team went into the final quarter only two points down, but when the Pies lifted, kicking four straight goals, the Panthers couldn't go with them in the 13.11 (89) to 10.9 (69) win.

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Wangaratta coach Luke Morgan spoke about his lesser lights performing in the 27-point win over fellow top three contenders Albury and that long list was again evident in handing the Panthers just their second loss.

"In the first three-quarters, we won the inside 50s pretty well and we did in the third quarter, but we probably didn't make use of it as best we can and that was the real focus at three-quarter time, to get some damaging entries in that last quarter and I think we did that," coach Luke Morgan said.

The Pies' depth also proved the difference in the cracking 30-point win over the Panthers in round five.

"I thought they probably capitalised on their momentum better," Lavington mentor Simon Curtis said.

"I thought we were going to overrun them because of our fitness, but our turnovers really hurt us, they've got plenty of class and they're a really good side, they finished well."

Lavington finished with 300 possessions, around 50 more than the visitors, but weren't as clinical.

In the final term, star forward Michael Newton, in his first game since injuring a hamstring five weeks ago, took a strong mark against Brant Dickson and nailed the tough shot.

Minutes later, Josh Porter snapped a clever goal in the ruck and then Joe Richards' kick found Mat Grossman, who goaled from 40m.

Three goals in five minutes and the game was gone.

During its decade of dominance, Albury has been able to launch explosive bursts and now Wangaratta has similar firepower.

It was also a three-goal burst, in three minutes, in the second term which threatened to rip the game away.

Brad Melville kicked the middle goal and was again best on ground, landing three majors and 26 disposals.

Tagger Will Reilly restricted VFL midfielder Shaun Mannagh to just 18 touches, while Richards, particularly early, had a lot of the ball.

Dickson did a superb job in keeping Newton to two goals, Marty Brennan kicked two goals and had 23 possessions, while Curtis (34 disposals) and Jack Kirley (29) were terrific.

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