From the Border Mail
WODONGA Raiders coach Ken Stevenson has hit back at the club’s critics following their stirring come from behind win against Myrtleford on Saturday.
Stevenson was handed the difficult task of rebuilding the Raiders line-up following a mass exodus of talent at the end of last season.
The already decimated ranks were further stretched when Dean Heta departed after the first round loss to Wangaratta Rovers.
But Stevenson said he had placed his faith in a core of youngsters and Melbourne-based recruits Dean Limbach, Dean Giles and Michael Steven, who were all prominent in the 17.6 (108) to 13.6 (84) win against Myrtleford.
He said 10 players who played against the Saints were under the age of 20 including 16-year-old debutant Brad St John.
The Melbourne-based recruits have all signed for two years and Stevenson said he was not interested in players who weren’t prepared to commit for an extended period.
“The perception about us is probably a little incorrect,” he said.
