A SUPER-fit Wodonga Raiders appear to have arrived as a genuine force after upsetting reigning premier Wangaratta by 20 points at Birallee Park on Saturday.
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After knocking on the door under coach Daryn Cresswell for several seasons, the Raiders look to have taken the next step with their run and carry destroying the Magpies on the biggest ground in the competition.
“It's probably the most nervous I’ve been before a game,” Cresswell said.
“We have done a hell of a lot of work on how we play and we’ve made some great steps.
“I think we are known as a quick side with good runners, but we wanted to show resilience in games and we’ve worked really hard on that.
“We knew Wang would come at us and our players stood up.”
While top-liners Brodie Filo and Jydon Neagle played well, it was the Raiders’ second-tier players who put Wangaratta to the sword.
Matt Neagle picked up 32 possessions across half-back, club veteran Mark Doolan turned back the clock with a vintage display with three goals and some quality touches in the midfield and Jordan Rouse held Magpie full-forward Michael Newton to three goals.
Two of those goals came from long range bombs in the opening quarter while the third came in the final stanza.
Brad St John, Daniel Bond and Raven Jolliffe also stepped up when the Raiders needed them most after quarter-time.
Wangaratta coach Dean Stone was upset with his side’s performance after a promising pre-season.
“It was really disappointing,” Stone said.
“We will lick our wounds and get ready for next week.
“Apart from four or five players, our effort just wasn’t there today.
“I guess I’m glad it’s round one and not round 17.”
Nick Richards, Michael Bordignon, Ben Douthie, Daniel Sharrock and Jamie Anderson were solid for Wangaratta but lacked support after quarter-time.
Star Magpie recruit Mat Suckling kicked a booming goal from his first possession but struggled to make an impact.
Wangaratta lost goalsneak Joe Richards before the match due to illness while fellow premiership players Daniel Boyle and Frazer Dent were also sidelined.
Cresswell said the Raiders would immediately turn their attention to Albury.
“To come out on top today was really pleasing after a bit of hype and it gets the monkey off the back a bit,” he said.
