The Raiders travelled to Kerang for their round 16 match against the Blues, which was their second-to-last game in 2024. The weather was fantastic, with a sunny day. However, one end of the ground seemed to be more favourable for scoring, and the Blues kicked towards Maxwell Street in the first and third quarters.
Kerang scored the opening goal of the match. Reagan Hamilton responded with the Raiders’ first goal while motivating the team by saying “Come on.”
Kerang then kicked a goal, followed by a behind. The Raiders moved the ball into their forward line, and Kye Attwell’s kick resulted in a behind. Shortly after, the Raiders scored a goal on the run.
The Blues’ Troy Coates took an impressive mark, but it resulted in a behind. Scott Wood’s kick for goal was a little short from a wide angle and went through for a behind. Mitchell Christensen made a long, beautiful kick for a goal but hit the post. After that, Jordan McKinnon kicked a goal, putting the Raiders in front. The Blues scored a string of behinds, putting them one point down at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Kerang scored two behinds, taking back the lead early. However, Scott Wood’s kick for goal was smothered and resulted in a behind. Kye Attwell then kicked two goals for the Raiders, giving them a six-point lead at half-time.
The third quarter began with the Blues kicking a behind, and Scott Wood scored the only behind of the quarter for the Raiders. Kerang then dominated, kicking seven goals and seven behinds for the quarter, building a 42-point lead.
Kye Attwell kicked the opening goal of the final quarter for the Raiders. Attwell celebrated his goal with a “come on” to motivate the team. Despite the Raiders’ effort, they could not close the gap, losing the match by 28 points.
Kye Attwell kicked three goals. Billy Driscoll, Reagan Hamilton, Jordan McKinnon and Jack Shannon kicked one.
Billy Driscoll, Jack Thrum, Jack Shannon, James Martin, Kye Attwell and Tom Amor were the best players for the Raiders in the match.
The Raiders will play their final regular season game at Barham on Saturday against Tyntynder, followed by a bye for the final round.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 15 August 2024.