THE Raiders will lose one big man but gain a midfield star for Saturday’s clash with Wodonga.
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Dean Heta will miss the next two matches due to an overseas trip.
The in-form defender is a loss, but coach Daryn Cresswell said the injured Todd Bryant is ready to play.
Bryant was injured in the Raiders’ round 12 loss to Lavington, but will return to the side having reaped the benefits of last weekend’s bye.
“We always knew Dean was going to miss a couple of weeks, it was no surprise to us,” Cresswell said.
“We haven’t had him for a lot of the year, it’s not the end of the world.
“He had been playing some good footy though, he knows what he has to do while he’s away.”
With five rounds remaining in the home and away season, Bryant's return to the side is a timely one.
The Raiders sit in fourth place with seven wins to their name.
While Albury have the minor premiership all-bar sewn up, the race for the top three remains open.
Lavington (nine wins) and Yarrawonga (eight and a draw) sit above the Raiders, but Cresswell said he wouldn't lose sleep if they weren't able to sneak into the top three.
“To be honest, we haven't really taken much notice of the ladder,” he said.
“Every game is worth four points at the moment and that's what we're after.
“I don't think making the top three is as important this year, the competition has evened out.
“Last year it was tough to do anything from outside the top three, that's not the case this season.”
The Raiders were bundled out of the finals in straight sets last season.
Cresswell said his side was much better prepared for post-season action this time around.
“We're much better prepared to play finals this season,” Cresswell said.
“The side is quite a bit more even, after another year under me the understanding of how we want to play is much better.
“The confidence is building among the group.
“We went from second last in 2014 to third last season, the belief what we'd be able to make an impact in finals probably wasn't quite there.
“That belief is there this year, we know that on our day we can beat anyone.
“Mentally we're in a much better prepared.”
The Raiders have rebounded well after a horror start to the season.
They lost their first three matches, but went on to win five of their next six.
“We pushed Lavington to a goal, we beat Yarrawonga in a close one and we got within 20 points of Albury, I know we’ve got it in us,” Cresswell said.
Defeating Wodonga would almost lock in a top five spot.
Wangaratta is the only other side likely to threaten for a place.
