Josh Walker.
JINDERA coach Josh Walker has been buoyed by the pre-season form of his charges after downing Wodonga Raiders in a practice match on Monday.
The Bulldogs have played the Raiders the past two Mondays with vastly different results.
Raiders convincingly won their first hit-out before Jindera stunned its more fancied opponents in their most recent encounter.
“The first week the boys got a little bit of a shock by the tempo of it all,” Walker said.
“But on Monday the boys turned it around.
“We ended up winning by a goal after getting rolled by 10 goals the first week.
“It’s a bit hard to gauge because both sides were probably missing eight players from their strongest line-up.
“But it was pleasing.
“After the match the Raiders did sprints around the square for a good 30 minutes.”
Key defender Daniel Cassidy was the stand-out after returning to Jindera from Raiders this season.
Jacob Millar was also a tower of strength in the Bulldogs’ defence.
The Raiders will have another hit-out against Wodonga tomorrow night at Wodonga Secondary College.
Montmorency Magpie recruits Dean Limbach, Michael Steven and Dean Giles are set to have their first hit-out with their new club.
Wangaratta Rovers will host Raiders when their season starts on March 30.