WODONGA Raiders are set to receive a huge boost on the eve of the finals, with young star Jydon Neagle set to return from injury in the coming weeks.
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Neagle, the son of former Essendon champion Merv, is over his shoulder problems and could return as early as Saturday against Wangaratta Rovers at the W.J. Findlay Oval.
It’s more likely Neagle will return for the round 17 clash with Corowa-Rutherglen at Birallee Park.
Neagle’s return will be the icing on the cake for Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell after his side flexed its premiership muscle with a win over Lavington at the weekend.
“He’s been given the go-ahead by the doc,” Cresswell said.
“There’s a good chance he’ll come straight back in.
“He’s looking fit, he’s lost four kilos.
“He’s training with Essendon and he’s flying.
“He’s just going to fit straight into our group.
“Getting a player like him come back in lifts everyone and it gives us another midfield option, another forward option.”
Neagle was injured against Wodonga at Birallee Park on April the 25th in a collision and required a second shoulder operation in the past 12 months.
The versatile youngster joined Essendon’s VFL team at the start of the 2015 season, playing with the Raiders when not selected in the VFL.
The Raiders have a healthy list and will only get stronger, with hard-at-it midfielder Matt Murray to return from a hamstring injury before the finals.
Cresswell said the 25-point win over the Panthers would give his team a truckload of confidence.
“They’re a good, hard competitive side and we knew there were going to be ebbs and flows throughout the game and that’s exactly how it panned out,” he said.
“We were lucky enough to take our opportunities – we didn’t in the first quarter.
“We had a lot of ball inside 50 but couldn’t hit the scoreboard.
“When we put ‘H’ (Hayden Heta) deep forward it really straightened us up.
“It gave us someone to kick to and brought our smalls into play which was important after halftime.”
Lavington coach James Saker was philosophical post-match.
With three games left, the Panthers are two wins clear of third-placed Raiders and unlikely to move from second spot.
“It’s not going to effect too much going forward,” Saker said.
“It will give Raiders some confidence going forward and gives us a really good opportunity to learn.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Panthers this weekend when they host unbeaten Albury
Ruckman Jamarl O’Sullivan will be available from suspension to face his old side, while several players could return from injury.
Lavington was the only team to beat Albury last season, and coughed up a golden chance to beat the Tigers in round seven this season at the Albury Sportsground.
