Wodonga Raiders are setting themselves for the two matches prior to the interleague bye which could play a decisive role in whether they extend their four-year finals streak.
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Raiders meet teams they're expected to battle for the top five in Myrtleford and Wangaratta Rovers.
The preliminary finalists will head into the round five clash against the Saints with a two-two record after toppling Wodonga 13.24 (102) to 8.5 (53) on Thursday.
Raiders claimed an unwanted record in the first half, producing the most inaccurate display in terms of goals to behinds since the O and M started in 1893.
The home team blasted away, posting just 1.14 to trail the Bulldogs by a goal, despite having nine more scoring shots.
Raiders found their rhythm in the second half and they'll need that momentum heading into the next fortnight.
Connor Newnham kicked the game's first goal after two minutes and from there Raiders kicked 14 straight behinds until Hayden Clarke stopped the rot after only 10 seconds of the third quarter.
Naturally, not all were sitters, but if Raiders are to feature in finals, they would want at least a 50 per cent conversion rate.
In their defence, they found their range late, nailing 10 of the last 17 attempts.
Despite its limited opportunities, Wodonga opened a nine-point break early in the second term after in-form forward Jackson Heagney-Steart landed two in as many minutes.
He landed five majors, three more than a quartet of Raiders, and his combination with power forward Tom Johnson was a concern for the home team, but the Bulldogs simply couldn't find other avenues to goal.
"I thought early we were definitely better around the ball as opposed to last week (against Albury), but our skill level and trying to transition the ball from defence to attack was really poor," Wodonga coach Zac Fulford said.
"Not only does it rob you of momentum moving forward, it gave Raiders an opportunity to counter attack.
"They got the footy in the middle third of the ground and made us pay."
Raiders' recruit Brodie A'Vard continues to impress in the ruck and he's also dangerous moving forward, kicking two goals.
Brodie Filo moved from the midfield to the forward line in the second half and while his finishing wasn't as clinical, he still caused problems, allowing team-mates to come into the game.
Jarrod Ardern booted two, while Jake Bradshaw also played well.
Heagney-Steart and Johnson were terrific, while on-baller Dylan Beattie was also strong, racking up a stack of possessions.
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