The improving Magpies edged out South Bendigo 15.11 (101) to 12.15 (87) at Princes Park to consolidate sixth place on the ladder - the first time the club's been that high on the ladder in the second half of a season since round 13, 2011.

For outgoing coach Ben Lavars the victory was arguably the most satisfying win he's had at the club.

Despite the absence of Stewart Crameri, the Pies were able to overcome a slow start and ware down the Bloods.

"For the future of the club it was really good that we were still able to get the win and we were still able to kick goals,'' Lavars said.

"South only having two wins doesn't show how good a side they are. They're a better side than that.

"It's one of the better wins the club has had alongside the first win last year."

South jumped the home side early and led by 16 points at quarter-time.

Related: Saturday scoreboard

The Pies responded with a six-goal second term before the final two quarters became an arm wrestle.

"We didn't settle quick enough and South Bendigo were able to get the ball on the outside and hit their forwards up well without too much pressure,'' Lavars said of the Pies' slow start.

"We put it on ourselves to put more pressure on after quarter-time because South is a very skillful side.

"There were times after quarter-time where they still managed to get the ball cleanly on the outside, but I thought our pressure was much better."

After an injury-interrupted first half of the season, Maryborough midfielder Coby Perry returned to his brilliant best.

"Today was the first game Coby was back in the midfield the whole game and the way he hunted the footy, his tackle pressure and the way he racked up possessions...he was huge for us today,'' Lavars said.

Livewire forward Matt Bilton kicked five goals for the Pies and had some important touches in his bursts through the middle of the ground.

Ruckman Lachlan Crameri had an enthralling battle with South Bendigo big man Callum Crisp.

The Bloods' best were Broady Haddow, Crisp and Cameron Taggert, while forwards Brad Wright and Kaiden Antonowicz kicked nine goals between them. Wright, who was playing just his second game of the year, snared five goals, while Antonowicz kicked four goals to give him 36 majors in 10 games.

Maryborough is away to Castlemaine next week, while South Bendigo hosts Eaglehawk at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

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