6 days Ago By Andrew Moir
' batch of youngsters will head into next year's Ovens and Murray Football League after one of the longest pre-seasons. or signup to continue reading Raiders started official training around the same time as the nine others clubs, but the players are so tight they have been together since September. "I probably couldn't name one in particular, all the young fellas only had a week or two off and they were all back training together, running and going to the gym," 2024 captain Brad St John revealed when asked if one player had stood out at training.
"The playing group is really young and they just want to improve." Raiders had a horror finish to last season, losing their last five games by an average margin of 74 points and they doubled that in the league's biggest loss of the season against Wangaratta (148) in the final round. The club has recruited former VFL Team of the Year members and and while their reputations indicate they will make a sizeable impact, the improvement within will largely dictate Raiders' season.
"Our young players are seeing coaching from a different perspective with Chaddy (Chad Owens), they're going to learn new things as you do with every new coach you get," St John explained. Former VFL player Tom Bracher is still only 22, but he missed the second half of the season and the club desperately needs his class. "He was out with his back but he was straight into rehab and is back running, while for (brother) Nick Bracher, it will be the first time his body will be really sound, without injury," St John added.
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