Wodonga Raiders’ young group took a major step forward by beating the bigger Wodonga in wet conditions on ANZAC Day.
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Raiders kicked four goals to one in the first term and was never headed, winning 11.6 (72) to 5.10 (40).
“That was the most pleasing thing, we were able to play that style of game,” Raiders’ coach Daryn Cresswell said.
“We’re a young and light side, but we had the maturity to play another type of game in conditions which a lot of people thought wouldn’t suit us.”
Raiders lost not only their best player in Jydon Neagle with a shoulder injury before the match, but he’s also one of their most physical players.
But the home side out-bustled the bigger Bulldogs and, when the opportunity allowed, raced away with high-profile recruit Brodie Filo the star with 46 touches.
“Probably the biggest disappointment was we let them play the way they were going to play,” Wodonga coach Dean Harding said of his team’s showing.
“We didn’t turn it into that real dog-fight that we wanted to, so I don’t think our boys will be too sore.”
Raiders went into the match coming off a 10-goal thumping against the much-improved Wangaratta.
“That’s what we’re after, consistency,” Cresswell said.
“We’ve been loss, win, loss, win, but hopefully a performance like that will lead to more consistent performances.”
Given the amount of morning rain, Raiders’ Birallee Park was in good condition, as the home side started interleague defender Jack Di Mizio in the ruck against Matt Seiter.
Former Wagga Tigers’ player Jackson Kelly starred in the first term, making his biggest impact at O and M level, but he injured his ankle in the first minute of the second quarter and only played a few more minutes.
Regular defender Dean Giles kicked his first goal in his fourth season to open a four-goal break early second term and, when heavy rain then hit, it was going to be difficult for Wodonga.
The Bulldogs were breaking down across half-forward and the coaching staff will be worried with the lack of creativity, with three of the team’s five goals coming from 50-metre penalties.
Heidelberg recruit Jarrod Hodgkin was busy with 41 touches, kicking a nice goal too early in the third to cut the margin to two goals.
But he didn’t have a lot of support, although Seiter took a series of strong marks in defence.
The late withdrawl of Neagle allowed 17-year-old Hayden Clarke to debut.
And the son of O and M Hall of Famer Stephen showed enough to suggest he will be a senior player.
While Filo was a clear best-on-ground, the return of Matt Neagle also had a major impact.
Not as big as his brother, Matt is a classy player who bobs up at the right time.
Shane Munro and Di Mizio also played well, while Brad St John has been the most consistent player over a rollercoaster month.
The one negative though was co-captain Steve Jolliffe’s battle with an ankle injury he’s carried since April 8.