MARYBOROUGH served notice that it shouldn't be taken lightly at Princes Park after giving reigning premier Eaglehawk one heck of a scare in the BFNL on Saturday.

A massive upset loomed as the improving Magpies spent the bulk of the day leading the Hawks, including by as many as 28 points during the third quarter.

However, the Hawks responded to the challenge thrown at them by the plucky Magpies and escaped with a 16-point victory in a game that was still up for grabs 25 minutes into the final term.

While it was the Hawks that prevailed 17.14 (116) to 15.10 (100), it was the impressive showing on the back of four years of constant struggle from the Magpies that was the biggest talking point out of the game.

"We're a fairly new side and we've spoken a lot about learning how each other plays and gelling together and it was really encouraging today with the way we played," Maryborough coach Ben Lavars said.

"We put on an immense amount of pressure... we know Eaglehawk is a quick and skilful running side and we tried to stop them from doing that, which we were able to do for most of the game. But they were a bit fitter than us and able to get over the top of us in the end."

Eaglehawk coach Travis Matheson breathed a massive sigh of relief following the game in which Maryborough had led at each of the first three breaks.

Matheson conceded the Hawks didn't show the Magpies the accountability they deserved.

"To Maryborough's credit they played some really good footy and if they can continue to play like that they will win more games than they have over the past few years no doubt," Matheson said.

"We probably didn't show them the accountability they deserved. We had a honest chat at half-time about where we were at and what we needed to do in the second half and the positive is we responded, but we shouldn't have got ourselves in that position to start with."

Maryborough's competitive performance was spearheaded by a seven-goal performance from boom recruit Stewart Crameri, who played a mix of forward and midfield after missing the previous week's victory over Castlemaine.

Among Crameri's seven goals without a miss were several booming kicks with his renowned raking left-foot from outside 50.

Down the other end the Hawks had a spread of 10 players kick goals, led by four to Sean Williams.

Maryborough's tally of 100 was only its second triple-figure score in its past 78 games and it came against a club that has long been renowned as having one of the competition's best defences.

"We're disappointed not to win the game having been in front for most of it," said Lavars, who was one of the Magpies' best.

"I'm proud of the way the boys played and if we can replicate that most weeks then I think we're a good chance of challenging most teams and, hopefully, getting a few wins."

Eaglehawk's best players were led by four of its on-ball division - Ryan Gillingham, Ben McPhee, Jesse Collins, who spent time matched-up on Crameri when the Maryborough star played midfield, and Gedd Hommelhoff (two goals).

The Hawks copped an injury blow to defender Clayton Holmes (quad), while impressive Magpies' 16-year-old Aidan Hare suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Crameri's seven goals were the most by a Magpies' player since Matt Bond kicked seven in a 2014 game against Kyneton.

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