Wodonga Raiders sign NTFL Rising Star winner and rising Top End defender

Palmerston wingman Ryan Warfe just claimed the NTFL's top junior award, while team-mate Tyrrell Lui was also a nominee.

"Ryan's had a really strong year and Tyrrell is just what we need, he's really mobile and really good user of the footy as well," delighted coach Jarrod Hodgkin revealed.

"I'm mates with Matty Dennis up there, who's regarded as one of the best players in the league, and he's got a big rap on them, he said they're two of the best young guys in the comp and if he's got that opinion, that carries a lot of weight."

Dennis is a three-time premiership player with Bundoora and three-time league medallist in the Northern Football League.

Warfe is known as an extremely hard worker and while he's not lightning quick, he's pacy enough to make an impact in the NTFL, which is known as a fair quicker competition than the more physical Ovens and Murray.

Lui is a strong and competitive player, with an underrated ability to find the ball, averaging 17 touches from fullback in a battling Magpies' outfit.

It's believed the rebounding defender has been canvassed as a potential AFL rookie.

Lui's signing is perfect timing for Raiders, who are facing stiff competition from a host of clubs as they look to make a sixth successive finals campaign.

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Raiders' defence was the Achilles' heel until recent weeks with Lui now joining Mitch Thomas in key position roles.

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"Mitch was probably in our best three players on the weekend, he's very raw, but he's got a lot of potential," Hodgkin offered.