The match was called off with eight minutes remaining after the lightly-built Neagle courageously raced towards the ball where he collided heavily with rampaging big forward Brandon Symes.

It was immediately obvious the 20-year-old budding AFL player was in serious trouble and within minutes the umpires asked coaches Damian Sexton (Yarrawonga) and Raiders’ Daryn Cresswell if they wanted the game stopped.

It’s the second match this season halted due to injury after Lavington’s Matt Pendergast suffered a shocking broken leg in the round six clash against North Albury.

Neagle’s injury deflated the day with Raiders running rampant, posting an impressive 21.6 (132) to 11.8 (74) hiding.

“He’s done so much hard work and a reflection of how far he’s come was that last contest, courage,” a shattered Cresswell said.

“He’s shown the AFL scouts and I’ll be doing my best for him because he’s grown up so much and come so far, geez he can play footy.

“It’s tragic he’s not going to be part of us, but I know this group and that will galvanize us.

“We don’t rely on any one player … we’ve got enough run back there with (Shane) Munro, (Will) Donaghey, et cetera.

“We have to play with the same spirit that he just showed then and that’s what it comes down to.”

The defender has emerged this year as one of the league’s most influential players with his pace and ability to weave through traffic setting up so much of Raiders’ explosive play.

At one stage against Yarrawonga, he produced a 110m play by running the ball, handballing off, getting it back and then kicking it.

Raiders now meet Wangaratta in Saturday night’s qualifying final.