Morris medallist Brodie Filo is rapidly firming to retain the league's top award after producing another best on ground in the 49-point win over Corowa-Rutherglen on Saturday.
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Wodonga Raiders' Filo kicked three goals in the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win.
"He's really starting to play good footy, winning so much footy and bursting away from the stoppages," defender Shane Munro said.
"He kicked one really good snap and also a set shot from outside 50m."
Filo roared back to his best form in the thumping win over North Albury a fortnight ago and while Raiders lost to Albury last week, the brilliant midfielder probably would have polled again after kicking three goals.
The 29-year-old spends the off-seasons playing in Darwin and it can take time to readjust to the O and M.
The Roos, who are involved in an epic struggle with Wodonga and North Albury to avoid the wooden spoon, launched themselves at the visitors early to grab a seven-point break.
"Corowa brought a lot of pressure," Munro said.
"They were really defensive, 'Almo's' (Marc Almond) a good defence coach and they had really good structures, so it was a pretty hot contest."
Raiders stole the initiative from the home team in the second stanza to take a 14-point lead to half-time and then nailed 10 goals to four.
Teenager Tom Bracher also kicked three goals in just his second game to slot in behind Filo in Raiders' best, while Connor Newnham also bagged three.
Captain Brad St John produced his best game of the year, while giant ruckman-forward Brodie A'Vard had another consistent game.
Jordan Rouse had the task of marking Roos former AFL forward Cameron Cloke in his one-off game and he excelled, restricting the big man to just one goal.
Jack Schilg and Tyson Logie were the Roos' best.
Raiders enter the second round in the top five, holding off Wangaratta Rovers by a percentage of only .2, an excellent effort considering the top-liners they lost.
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