Sinnott kicked four goals in the Magpies’ 14.13 (97) to 7.16 (58) victory at Terang Recreation Reserve, just days after avoiding the axe.

Coach Dan Casey revealed he had planned to drop Sinnott mid-week because of a form slump but the goalsneak had mounted a persuasive argument.

“I had him out of the side and I talked to him about it and he said he wanted another chance,” Casey said.

“It was a good response. Our small forwards played the best they have all season.”

Casey was delighted the Magpies had been able to produce their most complete performance of the season, taking their record to three wins and six losses, one game behind fourth-placed Portland.

“We played really well, it would be nice to do that every week,” he said.

The Magpies jumped the Bloods, kicking 5.7 to 1.3 in a decisive opening term with the wind. Casey said his side had missed several easy shots and after a slow start to the second term, he feared they might haunt his side as the Bloods got within seven points at half-time.

But 5.3 to 1.1 in the third term sealed the result for the Magpies before keeping the home side goalless in the final term for the second consecutive week.

Terang Mortlake coach Matthew Irving was disappointed with his side’s inability to stay with the Magpies in the second half — a week after it failed to goal in the second half against Koroit, blowing a 43-point lead.

“The fact is we are not good enough for long enough,” he said.

“We play one quarter and we get beaten. Camperdown was far and away the better side. It was the first game where we haven’t looked like winning it at any stage.”

He said the Bloods had set themselves the goal of levelling their ledger by round 12, meaning it has to win its next three games against Portland, North Warrnambool Eagles and Port Fairy.