But it was the Magpies’ blistering start which cleared a path towards their first Hampden league grand final appearance in 12 years.

The Phil Carse-led Pies won eight of their first nine games – surpassing their 2017 win tally of six in the process.

The blistering start came to a halt against reigning premier Koroit in round six but they rallied to win their next three matches and emerge as a genuine darkhorse.

They faltered on the run home, winning four of their last nine matches.

But they finished strongly with three wins, including a final-round rout of qualifying final opponent Port Fairy to regain their confidence.

Two superb finals wins later – against the Seagulls and then the Saints in the second semi-final – put them within reach of their first flag since 2000.

The Standard casts an eye over the Magpies’ path.

Result: Defeated Terang Mortlake 58-47

Ladder position: Third 

Stunned the highly-fancied Bloods in a round of upsets. Jacob Mahony kicked three goals in a low-scoring affair.

Result: Defeated Warrnambool 64-48

Ladder position: Second

Shrugged off a slow start to end a six-year Reid Oval hoo-doo. 

Result: Defeated North Warrnambool Eagles 78-61

Ladder position: Third

Condemned the Eagles to three straight losses.

Result: Defeated Hamilton Kangaroos 75-71

Ladder position: Third

Youngsters Isaac Stephens (three goals) and Luke O’Neil (best on ground) led the way in a hard-fought road victory.

Result: Defeated South Warrnambool 69-63

Ladder position: Third

The Mahony brothers – Jacob (three goals) and Luke (best on ground) – led the way in a topsy-turvy contest.

Result: Lost to Koroit 98-41

Ladder position: Third

Crashed to earth at the hands of the league’s pacesetter. 

Result: Defeated Portland 104-57

Ladder position: Third

Nick Bateman booted six goals as the Magpies produced their biggest win of the season to date.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 59-49

Ladder position: Second

The win which made opposition stand up and take notice. Only blight was a long-term facial injury to star midfielder Cam Spence.

Result: Defeated Cobden 75-26

Ladder position: Second

Kept the Bombers goalless until after half-time.

Result: Lost to Terang Mortlake 75-49

Ladder position: Third

Stumbled in a game which made headlines following an club-imposed ban to Bloods forward Stephen Staunton for a strike on Magpie Billy Arnold. The matter was later sent to the tribunal.

Result: Lost to Warrnambool 84-75

Ladder position: Third

Four goals in a best-on-ground performance from coach Phil Carse wasn’t enough to help the Magpies home.

Result: Defeated North Warrnambool Eagles 89-87

Ladder position: Third

Came from 26 points down at half-time to win.

Result: Lost to Hamilton Kangaroos 106-99

Ladder position: Third

Let a 22-point three-quarter-time lead slip as a Tyrone Ross-inspired Roos produced a shock road win.

Result: Lost to South Warrnambool 128-90

Ladder position: Third

A six-goal to three third term proved the difference.

Result: Lost to Koroit 105-25

Ladder position: Third

A day to forget against the four-time reigning premier. Goalless at half-time.

Result: Defeated Portland 78-25

Ladder position: Third

Welcomed the line-breaking Cam Spence back after a long injury layoff.

Result: Defeated Cobden 75-42

Ladder position: Third

Conceded three first-term goals but only five for the match.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 143-74

Ladder position: Third

Produced their best offensive performance of the season to stun the Seagulls. Led 102-12 at half-time. Nick Bateman kicked six goals. Captain Sam Cunnington copped a one-match ban.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 88-48

Took three quarters to shake the Seagulls but raced away when they gained the momentum, kicking six unanswered goals.

Result: Defeated Koroit 64-44

Inspired fourth-quarter performance, kicking four unanswered goals. The emerging Riley Arnold was a game-changer.