The Purples could muster only a single behind in the first quarter, but the Magpies, already ruled out of finals, couldn’t capitalise on their early dominance as Luke Eldridge booted their sole goal of the term among five behinds.
And Nathalia made them pay for it, slamming home five goals to two points in the second quarter to wrench back control of the game.
The Purples’ three-quarter-time lead swelled to 31 points after another four-goal stanza, and they were unfazed from there to record a 12.10 (82) to 6.14 (50) win.
Liam Evans booted a game-high four goals to take his tally to 80 for the season, while Logan Campbell, Harry McDonald, and Zander Quinn all fired off two each to underscore the even spread of goalkickers.
Jack Duggan, Bryce Mann, and Josh Dohnt led the charge for Nathalia while Ned Osborne, Sam Hooppell, and Zade Maschewski battled hard for the Pies, who will be hoping to end their season with a win against Rumbalara in the final round.
For the fourth-placed Purples, they sit even with Mulwala and Cobram on 12 wins apiece, and a blockbuster clash against Cobram on Nathalia’s home deck looms as pivotal in the race to the coveted double chance.
The Tigers hosted a revitalised Finley in round 19, forced to erase a 17-point half-time deficit at Scott Oval.
After trailing for most of the contest, Cobram booted three of the last five goals and fended off a tenacious Cats outfit to seal an eight-point win, Tyron Baden’s five goals and star turns from Perry Lewis-Smith and Hunter Hardwidge helping the Tigers retain second.
Elsewhere, the Murray Football League was littered with lopsided contests.
Numurkah notched a mammoth 117-point win over Rumbalara with mid-season recruit Brent Arho running rampant with eight goals.
Mason Pedretti, Mitchell Price, and Oscar Lambourn were also influential, as the Blues look ahead to a bye before launching into finals.
Meanwhile, Congupna journey out to Echuca South Reserve proved fruitful with a 140-32 victory over Echuca United, Bryden Squire returning best-on-ground honours for the ladder-leading Road.
Mulwala was also too strong on the road, claiming a 128-point win against Deniliquin at Hardinge St Oval.
The Lions host Echuca United in the final round while the Rams end their year with a clash against Congupna.
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