Wangaratta figures out problems with its forward delivery quickly

The Pies were sitting the ball up high for their key forwards and when combined with poor kicking and desperate defence, the home team produced the most inaccurate first half in league history, kicking 1.16.

However, a superb Abraham Ankers pass to Ben Reid in the opening seconds and Joe Richards' clever work for Ben Speight meant the 10-point deficit was quickly eroded.

"We've got some unbelievable trump cards forward, so kicking high in the air allows the extras to come in and spoil," coach Dean Stone suggested.

"It puts our smaller players, when they want to get front and centre, it puts their timing out, it's just not good footy.

"As soon as we held the footy and moved the ball in different lanes of the ground, it spread their defenders far better."

The Pies rammed on 14 goals to two against a fellow finals contender in the second half.

"We lost composure around the outside of the contest, their runners got on top and they started to get the outside ball and from there it's pretty hard to defend," Myrtleford co-coach Jake Sharp offered of the turnaround.

Saints' Matt Dussin was outstanding in the first half, while Dawson Simpson was terrific, but like so many team-mates after the break, they weren't able to influence the game.

Nathan Laracy had a consistent four quarters and there's no more courageous player in the league, hurtling back into packs with no thoughts whatsoever of self-preservation.

On the injury front, Wangaratta defender Matt Hedin suffered a right shoulder sublaxation or partial dislocation.

Hedin was involved in a marking contest with Simpson in the third quarter and was forced off immediately, although he did return minutes later.

He finished the match on the bench with his shoulder strapped, Josh Porter had ice on a corked thigh, while Speight also suffered a cork.

Meanwhile in worrying news for the rest of the league, Wangaratta dynamo Abraham Ankers maintains he will get better.

Ankers is one of the friendliest people you would meet and doesn't have a conceited bone in his body, but was being honest when quizzed on his improvement.

"I think I've still got a long way to go, I'm a bit underdone, my fitness probably isn't what it should be," Ankers said honestly just minutes after the match.

"I'm finding my role in the team, I'd like to think I've got a lot of better footy ahead of me that what I've been playing."

The Northern Territory star has won best on ground in his first two games and he's already a 'must-watch' for spectators.

Albury's Brayden O'Hara has long been one of the league's most exciting players and his 36-disposal, five-goal game against Corowa-Rutherglen was one of his best for the club.

"It's good to be back playing some good footy, I suppose it's been difficult the last couple of years with injuries, but I'm feeling really fresh, I feel like I've done my best pre-season," he said.

The Tigers won seven of the 10 premierships from 2009, so the club's fitness has always been exemplary, but they appear to be in even better shape this season.

And Wodonga's shock win over Yarrawonga has suddenly revived interest in the club's annual Anzac Day clash against rivals Wodonga Raiders.

Raiders have won the last six matches against the Bulldogs by an average winning margin of 59 points, but the latter's spirit against the Pigeons has steeled belief they can end the streak.

Wodonga last toppled Raiders in round 14, 2016.

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However, prior to that, the Bulldogs are away to Albury on Saturday, while Raiders host Yarrawonga in the battle of the winless sides.

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