Naughton, a long time Yass junior and younger brother of current Magpies’ pivot Scott, scored a 74th minute try to help his team hold off the third-placed Storm.

The 20-year-old from Murrumbateman said he was pleased with his own form and happy with the position the Raiders were in. “The top four is the place to be,” Naughton said to the Tribune on Monday. “They [Storm] are above us on the ladder, so it was important we won to keep in touch.

“I just need to stay consistent and keep playing well. I’d rather be playing a little closer to the ruck… but if I’m anywhere in the team, I’m happy,” he said.

Fellow local league product Matt Britt is facing another five weeks on the sideline with a painful lower leg injury that may require surgery. Britt hopes to get back on the paddock four-to-five weeks before the finals.

“I was probably playing my best footy this year until I injured myself,” a frustrated Britt said. “I played with the injury one week and embarrassed myself because I couldn’t run properly. Hopefully I can get back out there by round 20, we’ll still have a lot of footy left after then.”