MATT McDonald has broken his silence on the Kade Stevens incident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wodonga Raiders midfielder says he struggled to play in the week after his collision with the Lavington veteran, who’s still in a neck brace.
“It was a tough week for myself, worrying about his health,” McDonald admitted.
“Hearing he was going to be OK was the best thing about it all.
“Mentally, it was very hard to play the next week.
“It was one of those freak ones, it was very unavoidable.”
McDonald was charged by the match review panel for the front-on contact, but was then cleared of any wrongdoing at the tribunal.
The two have not yet spoken.
McDonald has tried to make contact with Stevens since the round 15 incident, when Stevens badly injured his neck.
“When he feels the time’s right I’m sure he’ll get back to me,” McDonald said.
The Stevens incident has put a dampener on McDonald’s return to the O and M.
But the 32-year-old is hoping to finally put it all behind him.
McDonald was one of the Raiders’ best in last week’s loss to the Panthers and is hoping to help the club beat Yarrawonga in Sunday’s knockout semi-final at the W.J. Findlay Oval.
“We definitely have to improve on last week’s efforts,” McDonald said.
“We’ve changed a few things up from the last time we played them.
“We have trained to play a bit different this week.
“We have had a good year so it’s important to stay positive.”
Raiders have named Jake Goldsmith and Jydon Neagle to return from injury in what would take the pressure off Ross Tungatalum.
Tungatalum was held goalless last week, with Raiders booting just seven makors for the game.
“Goldy’s pretty important to our structure,” McDonald said.
“He straightens us up and he’s a bigger body.
“He’s chomping at the bit to get back in and hopefully Jydon will play as well.”
With his side beaten in the midfield against the Panthers, Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell is flirting with the idea of shifting Todd Grayson from the back line to the midfield.
“It would be good to have three Todd Graysons, really,” McDonald said.
“He gives us a lot of stability with his run across half back.
“He’s such a valuable player for us.
“The way he plays, he can play onball or on a wing and it gives us flexibility with him.”
