Border Mail |
WANGARATTA’S 10-goal hero James Wong admits he put the acid on himself to star in Saturday’s record-breaking performance against Wodonga Raiders.
Wong, who kicked more goals against the Raiders on Saturday than any other Magpie has in Ovens and Murray history, said he wanted to stand up for his cousin Ben Davies, who crossed to Norm Minns Oval from Birallee Park amid controversy over the summer.
Wong revealed the pair were at one point both in talks with the Raiders about playing for the club this year.
“Maybe there was a little bit of extra motivation playing against Benny’s old side,” Wong admitted after Saturday’s win.
“He doesn’t say a bad word about Raiders, though.
“We were actually talking to them in the preseason.
“So it was good to get a few.
“Our team has been struggling, too, so I really wanted to put in a good performance and kick a few goals.”
The livewire forward, who is now a walk-up starter to represent the league later this month, kicked five goals in a blistering first quarter that set up the Magpies’ 33-point win.
Wong, who forced Raiders’ coach Ken Stevenson into making multiple match-up changes, then added two goals in the second quarter and two more in the third before running into an open goal in the early stages of the final term to record his 10th of the day.
Wong famously saluted the Raiders’ past players stand last time he played there and again issued them with a playful reminder about how well he was going on Saturday, showing all 10 fingers to the crowd after slotting home his last of the game.
Davies, meanwhile, starred against his old side and was only behind Wong and Matt Grossman as the Pies’ best on the day.
Former midfield mate Todd Bryant had the job on Davies early but was freed of that task late in the game and finished with two goals for the Raiders.
Wong said the Pies were rapt to record back-to-back wins after their horrific 117-point capitulation against North Albury in round 3.
“That loss to North Albury was horrible and a really dark day for the club,” he said.
Raiders’ coach Stevenson, meanwhile, said his club would continue to blood younger players.
Jack Donaghey and Liam Hickey, both 16, debuted on Saturday.
Hickey, son of former player Leo, became the first father-son combination in the 25-year history of the Raiders.
“You can’t expect miracles from such young boys,” Stevenson said.
“We’re heading down the right track and we’ll keep heading down this track; I’d rather do that than pay $45,000 for a player.”
