Wodonga Raiders’ coach Daryn Cresswell says star player, Brodie Filo, has changed his attitude.

“He’s playing more team-oriented footy, playing more like we want to, a real leader,” he said.

“It was good to see him play forward because I keep telling him, ‘you’re really dangerous when you go forward’.”

Filo kicked three goals against Myrtleford.

“I was a forward when I was younger,” Filo said.

HAMMIE HICCUP

Meanwhile, Raider Matt Neagle’s hopes of pushing his AFL claims hit an obstacle last week.

“He twinged his hammie last Thursday,” Cresswell said.

“He’ll play next week, either at home with us or Essendon VFL, and then he’ll be back rocking and rolling for us against ‘Yarra’.”

Neagle was scheduled to play for the Bombers against Geelong on Saturday but instead did the running for Raiders.

The second-placed team hosts North Albury on Saturday.

BUSTLING BIG BOYS 

Lavington’s forwards showed their intensity against Wangaratta Rovers.

“Our forward line was fantastic, all our big forwards and they tackled really well and got rewarded,” coach Simon Curtis said.

Adam Flagg kicked five goals, while Andrew Dess (two) and Adam Prior (one) also chipped in.

“It was a proper four-quarter effort we’ve been working towards,” he said.

The Panthers should know in the final two rounds if they’ve cut the gap to the top four, facing Yarrawonga (fourth) and Albury (first).

VETERAN SHINES

Still on forwards and Yarrawonga’s Brad O’Connor showed how important he is, kicking six goals against the Roos in just his second senior game back after more than three months out with a broken thumb.

“He’s very good for the dynamics of our forward line,” coach Damian Sexton said.

“He’s very selfless, he’s very good for (Jess) Koopman and (Brandon) Symes.

“He’s just a cracker mate, he’s the same calibre as ‘Motor’ McMillan, you don’t find blokes like that.”

The Pigeons had just five goalkickers in the big win.

STRONG COMEBACK

North Albury recruit Nick Schmidt impressed in his debut against Wangaratta.

“He was pretty good, he gave us a lot of experience across half-back,” co-coach Clint Gilson said.

“He’s just a cool head, he hadn’t played in 11 months.”

Schmidt, who won a league medal in South Australia two years ago, has battled an ankle complaint all season.

He’s the older brother of co-coach Chris, who should know within a month whether his work commitments as an engineer will allow him to return next year.

CLASS CLUB

Corowa-Rutherglen is playing its part for drought-affected farmers.

“The players are going to give a percentage of their match payments for every game they play to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners,” Roos’ coach Marc Almond said.

The Roos will also host the Hay Runners in Saturday’s home game against Wodonga.

“They’re the guys who are doing something for everyone else, it’s just probably an opportunity to do something for them,” Almond said.

Well done the Roos.