Although the 'official' off-season is just over five weeks old, Raiders have suffered the greatest losses, including three-time best and fairest Jydon Neagle (Balranald), Steve Jolliffe (Collingullie Glenfield Park) and Connor Newnham (Kiewa Sandy Creek).

It follows the news that three of the club's brightest youngsters in siblings Dylan and Hayden Clarke, plus Declan Everett, are targeting the VFL (see story back page).

"None of the players who have left have been a surprise," Almond offered.

"Externally, people are thinking there's a lot going on, but we definitely knew Jydon, 'Joffa' and Connor weren't going to be with us.

"Jydon had a coaching offer, 'Joffa' was staying close to home (near Wagga)."

Neagle's move to the Central Murray Kangaroos as co-coach is his first move into that leadership role and will be enormously sentimental given his late father Merv led the club to its 2006 flag.

While no club ever wants to lose as many players as Raiders already have, the experienced Almond knows it's the sport's cyclical nature.

"The guys going to Melbourne (to tackle the VFL), we wish them all the best and we wish all the players who have left the best," he revealed.

"That's just where the club is at, it's just going through one of those years, it's a transition phase with the players going.

"Every year you go through the ups and downs, my job is to develop these young guys for the next three to five years, not just for 2022."

Raiders boast a number of outstanding talents, including Max Beattie, who's one of the league's Rising Star nominations, with the winner to be announced at the Morris Medal on November 12.

The younger brother of the Clarkes, Nathan, is another of the juniors who have the potential to play seniors next year.

He's taller than his siblings and is a utility, who could play as the third tall forward among a number of positions, and he also uses the ball well.

Raiders boast the league's second-longest current streak of making finals with six.

Albury has 12 and appears odds-on to equal Wangaratta Rovers' record of 14 (1969-1982).

Fifth-placed Raiders finished three wins clear of Lavington and Corowa-Rutherglen after the COVID-shortened season, so the club has some 'wiggle room' on the non-finalists.

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However, the emerging Corowa-Rutherglen and Wodonga are already eyeing their spot in the top five as momentum builds further on the back of a vastly improved season and early recruits.

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