THE Ovens and Murray football season is only seven weeks away and clubs are about to kick-off their practice matches. The Border Mail's BRETT KOHLHAGEN and BRENT GODDE will take a look at how each club is faring in the countdown to the season. Today, they look at the prospects of Wodonga Raiders and North Albury.
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WODONGA RAIDERS
Pre-season so far: The Raiders have had their best pre-season numbers since Daryn Cresswell's first year at Birallee Park in 2015.
The Raiders appear energised after last year's taste of finals with several Hume league recruits taking it up to the likes of Brad St John and Neagle brothers on the track.
Tim Hallinan is flying and going head-to-head with St John in the running, Steve Jolliffe looks set to step straight back into Ovens and Murray football and Jye Shields is on track for a big season.
In their first intra-club match, the Raiders played 14-on-14 at Emerald Oval earlier this week with their deep midfield options on show.
Who's running hot: St John was unstoppable in the intra-club.
The burning question: Classy backman Daniel Bowles is contracted with the Raiders but playing for Nightcliff in Darwin. Nightcliff is on top of the ladder with two home and away rounds remaining. When will last year's best and fairest runner-up return to Birallee Park?
Injured list: Nil
New faces: Jydon and Jaxon Neagle (Central District), Steve Jolliffe and Charlie Hamilton (Howlong), Jye Shields, Tim Hallinan, Tim Haines and Joel Merkel (Culcairn)
Recruiting status: The Raiders would love to get their hands on another tall but the odds of that happening in February are remote.
Practice matches: North Albury (Feb 29), Shepparton (March 7), Queanbeyan (March 14).
NORTH ALBURY
Pre-season so far: The Hoppers have been averaging more than 50 players each session over the pre-season.
Since the Christmas break coach Isaac Muller has ramped up the intensity at training with Julian Hayes, George Godde, Ryan Polkinghorne and Clay Moscher-Thomas driving the group and leading by example.
Polkinghorne is a fitness fanatic and has been setting a cracking pace in all the running drills.
After being exposed to senior football last year, Jack Penny has impressed with his work ethic and looks set to go to another level this season.
North Albury's recruits have also fitted in seamlessly and helped raise the bar at training.
Jacob Smith in particular has caught the eye with his ferocious attack on the Sherrin in competitive drills and the 20-year-old looks a ready made Ovens and Murray player.
Who's running hot: After battling more than his fair share of injuries in past seasons, Josh Lloyd looks primed to realise his full potential.
Coaching staff have been amazed by Lloyd's change in attitude with the athletic tall embracing his role in the leadership group.
Now one of the Hoppers' most senior players, Lloyd has been spending plenty of time at training with the younger players and helping with their development.
Lloyd has always boasted plenty of potential and will have a huge say in how far the Hoppers progress this season if he can stay injury free.
The burning question: It fair to say Hopper supporters haven't seen anywhere near the best of Clem Smith.
The former Carlton defender has battled for form and fitness since he arrived at Bunton Park two years ago.
Smith has been putting in the hard yards at training and dropped more than 10kg before Christmas.
The 22-year-old also returned in good nick after the break and seems determined to recapture his best form.
You don't fluke getting onto an AFL list and there is no doubt Smith could be a serious X-factor for the Hoppers when fit and firing.
How many goals could Smith kick as a permanent small forward if he could remain fit and injury free?
New faces: Ethan Bakic, Mitchell McLeod, Callum Pattison, Daniel Pattison (Lavington), Jacob Smith (Werribee Districts), Jack Cullen (Coleambally), Jack Furlong, Eamon Gilbert (Bundoora)
Injured list: The Hoppers are injury free so far this pre-season.
Recruiting status: Although comfortably under their points allocation, the Hoppers are unlikely to sign any further big name recruits before their season opener against Wangaratta at home on April 4. A key forward wouldn't go astray in their bid to climb the ladder.
Practice matches: The Hoppers will once again head to Frankston next weekend for their annual pre-season camp before playing Wodonga Raiders on February 29. They will also have an intra-club on March 5 before travelling to Tatura on March 14.
