The Roos completed a task that even some of the more experienced teams in the competition struggled to achieve - defeated Maryborough at Princes Park.

The 18.10 (118) to 15.5 (95) victory was the Roos' first win since round 14, 2019.

"We were always going to be under the pump a bit this year, but they're a good group and they keep going,'' Flaherty said.

"It's a good reward for them to get a win."

The Roos led by two points at three quarter-time, but the home side regained the lead with the first goal of the final term.

The Roos didn't buckle and ran the game out strongly by kicking five of the final six goals of the match.

"There were a lot of momentum swings in the first three quarters,'' Flaherty said.

"When Maryborough kicked the first goal of the final quarter to put them in front...in times gone by, Kangaroo Flat might have dropped away.

"Being such a young group it can be different and they kept fighting and got the reward."

Read more: Saturday scoreboard

In a display to warm the hearts of the Roos' faithful, no-one was more impressive than 19-year-old full-forward Lachlan Wilson, who kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance.

A key member of the Roos' under-18 premiership in 2019, Wilson tormented the Magpie defence.

"It would be really hard for a young forward in our side, particularly over the first six games this year,'' Flaherty said of Wilson.

"He's a good young kid and he keeps working hard. He's got good ability, he's got good hands and he's a good kick.

"He played well today and it wasn't just the goals - his second efforts and stuff like that were good."

The Roos produced another two first-gamers out of the under-18s and they didn't look out of place at senior level.

"Jack Barras and Campbell Smith played their first games out of the under-18s and they both did well.

"Campbell played down back and he held his own and gave us some drive.

"Jack is a clever, natural forward and he's quick. Hopefully, they'll both play a lot of senior footy for the club."

Nathan McHugh was rock solid across half-back for the Roos, while Hakeem Johnson's ball use and speed was crucial to the victory.

It was a disappointing day for a Maryborough side that would have penciled in the game as a home win.

The Pies were without Melbourne-based recruits Ash Humphrey, Lachlan Butler and Fraser Russell, while star midfielder Coby Perry was also absent.

It was the usual suspects who did their best to get the Magpies over the line.

Explosive forward Matt Bilton kicked four goals and Bailey Edwards had another big day through the middle of the ground.

Jayden Hooper battled hard, while exciting youngster Lachlan Bond returned from VFL duty and kicked a couple of goals.

Since beating bottom side Castlemaine in round two, the Pies have lost five on the trot and face tough games against Gisborne and South Bendigo to round out the halfway mark of the season.

Read more: Bendigo Pioneers go down to Geelong Falcons

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