JULY 20, 2013.
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That date will be the centrepiece of Wodonga Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell’s pre-match address against Myrtleford at Birallee Park today.
It was the last time the Raiders won back-to-back matches, and it is something Cresswell desperately wants to change.
“It’s been too long since the club has strung a couple together,” he said.
“We need to change that if we are going to be a good side.
“That’s the challenge we face.
“The boys certainly shouldn’t be getting ahead of themselves after one win and we just need to stick to the basics that make us a good team.
“If we do that, we are a chance.”
For the record, the Raiders’ successive wins came against Wodonga and Wangaratta in rounds 13 and 14 in 2013 under the coaching of Ken Stevenson.
They won three matches that season.
Cresswell’s chances of bettering that record in the first half of this season would soar if they were able to climb over fellow finals contender Myrtleford today.
Both teams have high expectations, and rightly so after the Saints should have led Albury at half-time last weekend.
Cresswell was an interested onlooker at that game but admitted he was more concerned about ensuring his team’s structures were firmly in place.
“You can just worry about what you can control,” he said.
“Last week was a good start for us, and probably the most pleasing thing was we had some good kids like Matt Neagle, Sam Murray and Brad St John show a bit.
“We will need that spread against Myrtle- ford too.”
Myrtleford’s big-man stocks have taken a hit early in the season with Blair Jose joining Matt Dussin and Hamish Leahy on the sidelines.
That means worries for Alpine Saints veteran Luke Chapman.
Last week Chapman picked up Setanta O’hAilpin and today will line up on Raider Jake Goldsmith, who is also pressing 200cm.