After 17 months out of the sport, the youthful Raiders could hardly have produced a poorer performance in kicking only five goals in a 96-point demolition on Good Friday.

"We spoke about it this week actually and whether Wangaratta paid us the respect at least we thought they should at the time," coach Jarrod Hodgkin revealed.

Admittedly, Raiders were without their best player in Jydon Neagle, who's played some terrific football since returning from suspension and a calf complaint in late April.

Raiders were then belted by 58 points in round two against Lavington and there were serious questions raised over whether the club might fall towards the bottom of the ladder after five straight finals campaigns.

However, the club has rebounded wonderfully, losing just one of its past six games.

Because of the COVID changes, the league hasn't actually finished the first round, although it will be the halfway mark of the regular season after today's round.

Round eight is scheduled for next weekend, so Raiders will round out the first round against competition leaders Albury.

They will have the ideal dress rehearsal for that clash against the second-placed Pies.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The return of Pies former Victoria Country defender Dylan Van Berlo has been largely overlooked after three games in reserves, but he took a number of trademark intercept marks against Yarrawonga.

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