Almond, who wasn't officially involved with any club this season, has ramped up negotiations with the Raiders over the past few weeks and is favourite to step into Jarrod Hodgkin's shoes.

The Raiders could formally announce the appointment as early as next week.

Raiders president Mark Johnston was keeping his cards close to his chest in regards to who was in the mix to succeed Hodgkin at Birallee Park when contacted by The Border Mail.

However, he did reveal the club was poised to announce its coach 'within the next fortnight'.

Six-time Ainslie premiership coach Chris Rourke was the Raiders' No. 1 choice as coach before he ruled himself out of contention earlier this month.

Rourke instead opted to coach Noosa Tigers in the QAFL.

Almond has a long and extensive coaching record spanning more than a decade.

His initial foray into coaching was as an assistant coach for three seasons under Tim Sanson at Lavington.

Almond landed his first senior coaching position at Howlong in 2008 after replacing Anthony Ross and spent five years at the helm.

He led the Spiders to finals in every season including their come-from-behind 2010 grand final win against Culcairn at Walbundrie.

After stepping down from Howlong at the end of 2012, Almond was heavily linked to the vacant coaching position at Corowa-Rutherglen.

However, he instead took the coaching job at Dederang-Mt Beauty for just over two years with his tenure cut short due to "irreconcilable differences".

ALSO IN SPORT

Almond is no stranger at Birallee Park after he spent 1-1/2 seasons as an assistant-coach under Daryn Cresswell.

His most recent coaching job was with Corowa-Rutherglen after replacing Terry Burgess at the helm in 2018.

He spent three-years at the John Foord Oval including the COVID-19 ruined season last year.

Almond spent this year away from football, recharging his batteries.

Hodgkin has been linked to joining his two brothers at Mitta United.

But the reigning Morris medalist is on the record as saying he wants to extend his time at Birallee Park as a player.

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