Last year's Morris Medallist called an end to his time at Birallee Park last week and was cleared to Bendigo league outfit Eaglehawk.

The decision comes amid speculation he could reunite with former coach and employer Darryn Cresswell at Wangaratta Rovers next season.

However, after speaking with Filo, Raiders president Mark Johnston is hopeful that won't be the case.

"We have no control over that, but ultimately he's given a commitment that if he was coming back to Ovens and Murray, he'd come back to us," Johnston said.

"We hope he would live up to that.

"Obviously he was feeling pressure and needed some sort of release.

"Going home to family (in Bendigo) I think is a good result for him."

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Johnston doesn't believe Filo's departure has particularly galvanised the playing group at Raiders.

"It's just made them realise there's pressure outside of football and the boys need to look after themselves," Johnston said.

"It's been a bit of an eye-opener for them that these things can happen.

"Those things happen in football and obviously footballers come and go from any club."

Raiders are in a tight battle with Wangaratta Rovers and Yarrawonga for the remaining spot in the top-five and certainly lost no friends in their eight-point loss against front-runners Lavington at the weekend.

"It was a positive four-quarter effort from the boys," Johnston added.

"It will probably come down to a game against Wang Rovers (on July 20) to decide who probably makes that (fifth) position."

Raiders take on Wodonga at John Flower Oval on Saturday as part of the Ovens and Murray's White Ribbon Round.