The black-and-whites had started the season with four straight wins, but had come back to the field following back-to-back losses.

They had been bumped off the top of the table although coach Anthony Beasley remained confident it was nothing to be overly concerned about.

Two weeks later the Magpies are back on top of the ladder after a 23.21 (159) to 5.2 (32) belting of Grafton.

They’ve done it without co-captain Craig Dicker and leading goalkicker Peter Cristoforo who is out for the season.

Beasley still isn’t content with where his side is situated and in a warning for the rest of the competition issued a warning they can get better.

“We’ve still got a lot to build on and we’re a young team with still a lot to learn, but as long as we keep improving, that’s all I want,” Beasley said.

“Is a coach ever happy.”

The Magpies led by 24 points at the first change, 69 at half-time and 83 at three-quarter time before it blew out to 127 at the final siren.

Captain Jesse Schmidt kicked a bag full of goals with five majors while Scott Dalton and Jordan Morris kicked three each.

Fraser Carroll, Adam Mannes and Dylan Beasley also kicked goals.

Beasley is looking forward to returning to Wayne Richards Park on Saturday.

“We haven’t done too bad considering we haven’t played too many games at home this season,” he said.

“It’ll be good to be back at home.”