Lavington overcomes gritty Wodonga Raiders comeback to win

Raiders pushed aside the midweek departure of star player Brodie Filo to grab the lead with around six minutes left, but the visitors kicked the last two goals to land an 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) win.

"We thought we pretty well had control of the game at three-quarter time and they came out and got the first three or four centre clearances and kicked three unanswered goals and it was game on," Lavington forward Adam Flagg said.

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An upset win would have drawn Raiders level with Wangaratta Rovers in the desperate battle with Yarrawonga for the last remaining spot in the top five.

"I was really proud of the boys effort, I couldn't question the effort they put in," Raiders' coach Jarrod Hodgkin said.

The home team carried a four-point lead to half-time, but it appeared Lavington's five goal to two third quarter would derail the underdogs.

The Panthers held an 18-point advantage, but then Raiders responded with their running brand, which was helped when conditions improved in the second half.

The outsiders suddenly looked capable of stealing the win, but the Panthers held their nerve.

"When teams come back at us, like Albury did (a fortnight earlier), nobody's panicking, which is good," Flagg said.

"We still knew what we had to do - obviously it's not ideal to let them back in - but it shows the maturity from the side and sometimes you just have to find a way, you have to win ugly."

There was nothing ugly though about the goal of the game to ever-improving Raider Will Donaghey.

"He got the ball right near the Raiders' balcony and he didn't have too much time to think about it," Hodgkin said.

"On a wet day it was a bit ambitious, he threw it on the boot, kicked a banana (checkside) and it managed to to go through somehow, it was a terrific goal."

Donaghey was one of five players across the two teams to kick two goals.

In his first game for a month, Luke Garland also snared a double and pushed coach Simon Curtis for the game's best player.

Despite not kicking a major, Aidan Johnson produced a top display, while the classy Shaun Mannagh, Marty Brennan and Flagg also did well.

Raiders' Daniel Bowles and Lachie Flagg featured, while captain Brad St John and Hodgkin also played influential roles.

After three straight losses, Raiders should snap the streak away to Wodonga on Saturday, while Lavington hosts Wangaratta Rovers.