WODONGA Raiders’ rebuild has gained further momentum with Southport pair Todd Grayson and Jake Goldsmith committing to the Ovens and Murray club.

Only days after new coach Daryn Cresswell announced the signings of key position pair Dean Heta and Matt Derrick, the former Sydney Swans star delivered on his promise to make further change by adding a star midfielder and centre half-forward to the club’s stocks.

Grayson was on the Gold Coast Suns’ list in their first season in the AFL and represented the NEAFL against Western Australia this year.

Promising Mitta United forward Aidan Adams will also play at Birallee Park after being targeted by several O and M clubs.

Cresswell, who will move to the Border from Queensland later this month, said yesterday the 22-year-olds had impressed him at Southport.

“They have been on the AFL radar for a while and see this as a real stepping stone in their development,” Cresswell said.

“Todd is very courageous and a real endurance beast who will set a great example while Jake is a 198-centimetre man-mountain with a lot of talent.”

Goldsmith represented the NEAFL last year before missing this season’s clash against Western Australia due to injury.

The Raiders have been dealt a blow with Cresswell’s original recruit, Brodie Moles, unlikely to join the club for personal reasons.

Cresswell coached Palm Beach-Currumbin into this year’s preliminary final and is hopeful of signing several more recruits in coming weeks.

“We have attracted some quality people which is only going to help our culture and work ethos,” he said.

“We will now work with the Bulldogs to do a fair deal in the interests of all parties during the trade period,” he said on the GWS website.

Griffen’s shock announcement supports speculation of ructions at Whitten Oval relating to McCartney.

Senior players Will Minson and Adam Cooney have both been linked to moves away from the club, while Shaun Higgins last week signed as a free agent at North Melbourne.

Bulldogs development coach Cameron Mooney expressed his lament at the situation but could see a silver lining.

“I think it’s a really shocking look for your captain to walk out on your footy club,” he said on SEN.