SAME teams. Same result. Different outlook.
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Wodonga Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell says his side is far better placed this year after bowing out in the first semi-final for the second straight season with a loss to Yarrawonga.
Whereas last year the Raiders succumbed to a Brendan Fevola-inspired outfit to bow out in straight sets, this season’s crop won an elimination final and got within a kick of a grand final qualifier.
After losing Todd Grayson on the eve of the season opener and with Ross Tungatalum unsighted since round four, Cresswell said the Raiders had shown great character to finish fourth.
“From a club point of view, we won a final, we pushed Yarra, you’d say we’re a fair way ahead of where we were last year,” he said.
“The important thing is, I thought five weeks ago we were looking down the barrel and we’re a better side now than what we were then and you’ve got to give credit to the players for that.
“The boys stuck together and I’m really proud of each and every one of them.
“Young blokes like Jydon and Matt Neagle, Ethan Boxall, Brad St John, they’re going to be the leaders of our footy club, we just need to put a bit more experience around them, which we will next year.”
The Raiders were outplayed for three quarters on Sunday but went within a whisker of sending the match into overtime.
After trailing by 20 points at the final change, Cresswell isolated Jydon Neagle in attack and, after being well held by Logan Morey early in the piece, the Raiders ace almost turned the match on its head. He kicked two goals in the space of six minutes to get the margin back to a manageable nine points with 12 minutes remaining.
The Pigeons held tough and when Ryan Bruce snapped his second goal at the 23-minute mark, the margin was 18 points and the match looked over.
But goals to Hayden Heta and Matt Neagle in the space of a minute brought the deficit back to six points before Jydon Neagle set sail for home only to have his shot touched on the line.
Brad O’Connor had the chance to ice the match from the ensuing kick-in as the Pigeons went coast-to-coast but an attempt to bounce the ball ended badly and he was wrapped up by Stewart Williams. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they never got a chance to launch another attacking assault as the final siren sounded.
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Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
