WODONGA Raiders have emerged as a legitimate finals contender after luring former Ovens and Murray stars Jydon Neagle and Matt Murray and St Mary’s midfielder Jackson Clark to Birallee Park.
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Neagle, who starred for the club last season, will play when free of VFL commitments, which looks set to be on a regular basis with Essendon not fielding a VFL reserve grade team.
The former Raider has done the bulk of pre-season training after undergoing shoulder surgery last year and will add further potency to coach Daryn Cresswell’s new-look team.
Murray returns to the league after spending three seasons with Balwyn and Old Ivanhoe in Melbourne.
He played in Balwyn’s all-star premiership team in 2012.
Murray is no stranger at Birallee Park after the tough midfielder signed with Wodonga Raiders in 2009 but was unable to play due to a contract with North Albury.
Clark is presently playing with St Mary’s in the Northern Territory and will arrive on the Border within the next month.
Cresswell said yesterday the trio would add further class and experience to the Raiders’ list.
“It’s fantastic for the footy club,” Cresswell said.
“Jydon, Matt and Jackson are obviously good players who will fit into the culture we are building.
“They are only going to help the young kids we have like Ben Murphy, Dylan Vlaszczyk, Brad St John and Matt Neagle.
“Jydon and Matt are well known around here while Jackson is six foot and can play across half-back and half-forward or through the midfield.
“His endurance is elite.”
Wodonga Raiders, who managed only three wins last season, have been the league’s biggest mover in the off-season.
They last played finals under Corey Lambert in 2012.