Wodonga Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell wants to make sure his side doesn’t exit the finals in straight sets.
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Raiders have earned the double chance after finishing third and will now need to use their second chance after Saturday’s 62-point qualifying final loss to Lavington at Bunton Park.
They’ll now face elimination final winner, Yarrawonga, in the first semi-final next Sunday at Wangaratta’s W.J. Findlay Oval.
Lose that, and it’s season over.
“It doesn’t mean much if you go out in straight sets,” Cresswell said.
“We lick our wounds.
“We just need more consistency for longer periods.”
The Raiders sorely missed Jake Goldsmith and Jydon Neagle against the Panthers, but Cresswell is confident both will play next week.
Todd Grayson, again the Raiders’ best player, left the ground at the 15-minute mark of the final quarter and didn’t return.
He had his left hamstring iced after the game, but should be right next week.
“He was brilliant,” Cresswell said of Grayson’s efforts across half back.
“They tried to tag him … he’s an elite player.
“We might put him through the middle (next week) to get a bit of robust in there.
“It was just what happened after the stoppage that hurt us, there wasn’t much accountability.
“We didn’t look after the ball today, I thought we slaughtered it.”
Sam Murray showed glimpses of his brilliance on the wing, while Ethan Boxall booted three and took several telling marks.