WODONGA Raiders inflicted cross-town rival Wodonga’s first defeat for the season with a strong 35-point win at Birallee Park on Saturday.
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In front of a bumper Anzac Day crowd of 2550, the Raiders charged clear after a tight first half to climb to third on the league ladder.
Fourteen scoring shots to three in the second half paved the way and raised only the Raiders’ finals aspirations but double-chance hopes as well.
Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell said he was rapt his players had not gone into their shell after trailing North Albury all day last week and losing by five goals.
“That can often happen with a young team,” Cresswell said.
“The type of football we tried last week against the Hoppers did not work in the conditions.
“Today we were able to spread wider, play smarter and pinpoint deeper.”
Cresswell said the solid effort followed a rigourous pre-season.
“Blokes like Todd Grayson and Jake Goldsmith were brought to the club because they are great standard-setters,” Cresswell said.
“To their credit, the players are getting behind them and following their example on the track.
“Sam Murray, Matt Neagle and Ethan Boxall, who have all come into the comp from the district leagues, are doing just that.”
Adding weight to the Raiders’ win was the late withdrawal of midfielder Matt McDonald who rolled an ankle at training on Tuesday night.
Wodonga suffered a blow in the third quarter when star forward Daniel Bradshaw left the ground with a knee injury.
Had had looked dangerous and, by then, had already kicking four goals.
Raiders Jydon Neagle showed great courage to play out the match after dislocating his shoulder just before half-time. He finishes with three goals.
Ross Tungatalum showed some moments of magic with his four goals — highlighted by two stand-outs — in the third term.
The first was a miraculous snap tight from the boundary from 30 metres while the second came from a 60-metre torpedo punt set shot.
Raider Jake Goldsmith was all class with four goals after being well held by Jack Russell in the first half.
Best afield Todd Grayson led a free-running and rebounding Raiders defensive unit with Stuart Williams, Jack Di Mizzio and Hayden Heta outstanding.
Wodonga were best served by utility John Pratt who roamed far and wide and capped off a wonderful match with two crucial second quarter goals.
Matt Seiter and Tim Kindellan were solid for Wodonga, having great tussles with Hayden Heta and Steve Jolliffe.
Both teams now sit on three wins and one loss after the first four rounds and have given themselves every chance of finals action.