Wangaratta coach Dean Stone has declared Saturday's physical showing is now the benchmark.
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The Pies unveiled their 'amped-up' ferociousness in the 63-point belting of Yarrawonga.
It was a fiery clash at the COVID-enforced neutral venue Lavington Sportsground, however there's no suggestion either side had a deliberate pre-match plan to start the melees.
But Stone admits he has called on his team to be more physical.
"It's an area we wanted to improve on, just our ability to be a bit more physical around contests and not get pushed off the footy much and I thought today (Saturday) we did that," he offered.
"They came at us very, very hard, tempers flared, but both teams were disciplined in that area and they just wanted to have a crack."
It's an area we wanted to improve on, just our ability to be a bit more physical around contests.
- Dean Stone
Wangaratta started the season as the red-hot competition favourites, with some talk - outside the club - of an unbeaten season.
Wangaratta Rovers posted a 14-point win in round three, while the undefeated Albury proved too strong by two goals a fortnight later.
"The two losses we've had this year, we were significantly beaten around the ball, around ground balls, physicality, blocking tackles," Stone revealed.
"We've got a few young boys, they're learning about the physicality of senior footy, what your body has to withstand.
"We're getting better at it and I'm going to continue to challenge them week after week about putting your head over the ball, stand under a high ball, that's what the game asks you to do at times."
Stone's 'call to arms' means the Pies' 'watchability' will go to another level.
With gun forwards, including Callum Moore, along with the pace of Joe Richards and Abraham Ankers, plus powerful on-baller Matt Kelly and a miserly defence, the Pies are already 'must watch'.
ALSO IN SPORT
The added aggression means they will field a potent mix of force and finesse.
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