GROSSMAN'S GOOD
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Wangaratta's Mat Grossman has been cleared of serious injury.
The representative defender was on crutches after the game.
"He's fine, his ankle's OK, there's a little bit of swelling and it was just precautionary (to take him off)," coach Luke Morgan said.
Grossman produced the highlight in the 19-point win over Myrtleford, landing a 57m running goal midway through the second quarter.
FIRST GOAL
When Wangaratta's Michael Newton went off injured against the Saints, it forced the Pies to find another avenue to goal.
And it didn't take long for regular defender Dylan Van Berlo to convert.
Pushed forward late in the second term, the Victoria Country backman looked like he'd played forward all his life.
"It's good to have Van Berlo back playing two solid games now and he's playing well, he played a variety of roles and was really good," Morgan said.
Van Berlo had battled a quad complaint for much of the season.
PURE DESIRE
Myrtleford's Nathan Laracy produced another 'Exhibit A' moment on Saturday why he's so highly regarded.
Late in the first quarter, with no gap to work with, the rugged defender crashed through three Wangaratta players and came out the other side.
It was sheer determination.
UNFASHIONABLE
Blake Parker wore Wangaratta midfield gun Matt Kelly like a glove on Saturday.
It forced the Pies to put some work into the Saints' tagger in the third term as they tried to limit his impact on the ball magnet.
Parker isn't a 'pretty' player, but he's a vital piece in the club puzzle with his determination.
Meanwhile, ruckman Tom McDonagh doesn't have the profile of a number of other league recruits, but he's also crucial with his leap and physicality around the ground.
McDonagh returned home after a year at North Cairns.
POPULAR 'PENDER'
Matt Pendergast's 300th was the highlight of Lavington's 100-point win over North Albury.
"I know a lot of 'Pender's' family and friends were there and they were all in the room, it was a special feeling and he's obviously a legend of our club," captain Luke Garland said.
"He just bonds with the group really well, he's always up for a bit of banter and he's always having a laugh and that's really infectious. It's always happy when 'Pender's' around."
WEATHER WATCH
Wangaratta Rovers' hopes of sneaking past Wodonga Raiders for fifth spot could rest on Saturday's unfavourable forecast.
Rovers trail Raiders by a game but, more importantly, a percentage of 12.05, although they have the away game in hand against Wodonga.
The Bulldogs have just the one win, so the Hawks will be banking on a massive win to cut the percentage deficit.
But with rain forecast for Friday and game day, those hopes could be washed away.
