Filo’s season will depend on whether Raiders remain in the top five.

The 27-year-old had his jaw broken in two places after an incident involving Albury’s Sam Schulz in the final quarter on Saturday.

He had two plates inserted, as well as braces along the bottom row of teeth.

Schulz was suspended for six weeks for engaging in rough conduct.

He has appealed the decision, which will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Filo will miss at least six weeks, so even if Raiders make finals, he’s still no certainty to play the first week.

The best-case scenario would be the club finishes in the top three and Filo could, potentially, be rested for the qualifying final.

However, given the club has lost its most explosive player and is involved in a thrilling battle with four others for the final two spots, the elimination final is the most likely scenario.

“The twos are on top and flying, we just need a few of our midfielders to step up a bit, which they will, and then the blokes who come in from reserves will have a red-hot crack,” Filo said.

“Hopefully we can knock off the bottom sides and then pinch another one.”

Raiders have this weekend off before facing Wangaratta Rovers (ninth), Yarrawonga (second), Corowa-Rutherglen (10th) and Lavington (fourth).

Filo is back home in Bendigo, but is banking on a second season at Raiders.

“Yeah, I’m having a meeting with the club, but I’m 100 per cent I want to stay on,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure the club will do the same too, so we’ll sit down and work all that out.”

Filo arrived with an enormous reputation after winning the Bendigo and Northern Territory medals in a six-month period and he’s delivered.

“I started off a bit slow, obviously had to play with blokes you don’t know and now that blokes have understood what I’m capable of, we’ve got a good game style that we all work to,” he said.

Raiders won only four of their first eight games, losing the other four by eight goals or more, so it will be interesting to see if Filo polls well early in the Morris Medal.

However, the club then won five straight, so he could potentially pick up double figures over that period.