The Magpies went into Saturday's grudge match without their main forward target, Pat Davis, and the attacking artillery was further decimated when new focal point Mo Khartabil hobbled off with a hamstring injury.

But the black and whites were a hard nut to crack and shared the goals with nine individual goalkickers.

The Lions held the lead for much of the game, but it was only a matter of time before they disintegrated with the visitors boasting more centre clearances, inside 50s and scoring shots.

The Magpies stormed to a nine-point victory with three goals in the last five minutes.

A goal on the run from Matthew Robinson, a smart intercept from Ahmed El Hassan and an after-the-siren punt from Sedat Sir provided the Magpies with a stunning come-from-behind win.

It also silenced the Lions players who reminded the Magpies, in no uncertain terms, about their failures on the 'big day' last season.

"They copped a bit of sledging early on, which was expected," Turner said.

"I was rapt with the way the boys kept chipping away and stuck to their task.

"It's a win that could set up our season."

Lions coach Jamie Madigan conceded his side was beaten by a better team on the day.

He suggested his side was suffering from premiership hangover.

"I think the scoreboard flattered us in the end," he said.

"We were outplayed by them, we were beaten in the middle and that's where the game was won."

In other division 2 clashes, the Laverton Magpies lost a high-scoring affair to Braybrook by 28 points away at Pennell Reserve.

On-fire Albanvale kept hold of top spot with a convincing 43-point win over Coburg Districts at Cole Reserve.

There was a controversial ending to the North Sunshine-Wyndhamvale clash at Dempster Park after the umpires called the game off with five minutes remaining and the Vale in front by 182 points after a brawl broke out.

North Footscray punished Yarraville-Seddon by 48 points at the Yarraville Oval with four goals to Nathan Richardson.