NORTH Albury survived a last-quarter scare from the Wodonga Raiders to eventually record a decisive 55-point victory at Birallee Park on Saturday.
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The victory was largely due to the commanding performance from Hoppers’ centre half-forward Daniel Leslie, who marked everything in sight to finish with six goals.
He had support in front of goal from Matt Murray, who booted three majors, and fellow tall forward Ben O’Donnell who booted two.
The inexperienced Raiders, whose thirds are on top of the ladder, elevated Heath Ohlin, Nick Kosic and Peter Cook and the trio will benefit from the experience.
North Albury led by 35 points at three-quarter time but goals to Andrew Johnston and Cook early in the last term reduced the margin to 22 points.
The Raiders had restructured their forward-line for the last quarter and loaded up tall with Jason McMartin, Andrew Gilbert, young gun Dean Heta and Andrew Johnston.
The Raiders did all the attacking in the early stages of the last quarter, but North Albury regained its composure and moved the ball effectively out of defence with Mark Hilton, Wade Dickson, Aydan Brown and Alan Abele showing the way.
North Albury, with a combination of grunt and skill, replied with five unanswered goals, one each to O’Donnell, Brett Argus, Leslie; and two to Matt Murray to see off the early challenge from the Raiders.
After leading by four points at quarter time, North Albury set up the victory in the second term by kicking 4.7 to 0.1.
At the heart of the Hoppers’ domination was their midfield battery which had repeatedly sent the ball forward.
Mark Bush was unstoppable, Matt Murray was very productive and Matt Nichol blanketed Wodonga Raiders’ prime mover Mark Doolan.
Leslie kicked three of his four goals in the first-half, during the second, to give the Hoppers a 34-point lead at the main break.
But the Raiders rallied and fought back strongly in the third term with Leigh Corcoran moving on to Leslie, Trent Storey rucking strongly against Luke Donnan and Daniel Thompson producing some flair.
Reece Corcoran also battled well against Hoppers’ prime mover Josh McLoughlan.
One of the most encouraging signs for Raiders was the performance of young defender Nathan Mossop and Cook, who kicked 2.3 in an impressive debut.
