When Christian Ongarello returned from overseas mid-way through 2008 his heart was still at Frankston Park, “I just love it here, I don’t what it is, maybe Macey and his passion, but I just love it,” he said.
He would finish the year playing a handful of games for Mornington, but the Dolphins stirring run in the VFL finals only whet his appetite further, and he reported to 2009 pre-season in tip-top shape.
As has often been the case for ‘Stronga’, things didn’t go to plan. In round six against Port Melbourne he tore his hamstring so badly he didn’t make it back on the park that season.
After completing the 2010 pre-season he would again missed the year through injury. Near the end of this year’s pre-season he again tore his hamstring, conjuring doubts that he would ever resume his VFL career.
Some say Ongarello is Italian for ‘never quit’ however, and in round six he finally forced his way into the senior team, ironically at Port, the site of his last VFL game.
After all that work and dogged persistence, Onga deserved a special return. Instead, the Dolphins got spanked by 122 points – it was a rude awakening.
“It was a bit of a wake up. It was a real nothing feeling,” he said.
“One side of me was happy to be back and walking off the ground in one piece. But really, it was a reality check that we needed to knuckle down and think about where we were heading.
“It was just a bad day, I hope it was a coincidence that it was the first game I was back!” he laughed.
The result was hardly surprising though. It seems everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong for the 25 year old as he tries to establish himself as a VFL star.
His list of injuries – dislocated elbow, torn ankle ligaments, nine hamstrings, knee hyper-extension, countless cortisones – reads like the waiting list at Frankston Hospital’s emergency ward. In 2006, when the Dolphins charged to the Semi Finals he was left out of the team. During the 2008 finals run he was with the Bulldogs.
But the memories of those winning teams in 2005 and 2006 inspire the Somerville junior.
“Those first few years were good, playing finals in front of a packed house in Tassie in 05, being part of a successful team. That’s what drives me, I know the club can get to that stage, it is just a matter of sticking at it.”
anyone who has watched him play knows he will be a big part of the Dolphins resurgence, which he thinks is already well underway.
“The Bullants was a great game. Even though we lost I was really happy with our performance. And then obviously beating Coburg last round on a big ground was a fantastic effort.”
Much like the Bullants game, the Dolphins closed Coburg down all over the field with pressure football, only this time they did it for all four quarters and converted their hard won turnovers to win by 19 points.
Onga was superb both weeks, not only beating his man hands down, but regularly covering for someone else’s man with equal aplomb. His uncompromising style is just the inspiration his young teammates need, and it is no coincidence the Dolphins are a better, harder team with him on the paddock.
He thinks they are going to get a lot better yet.
“I would be disappointed if we didn’t win half a dozen games with the way we have shown we can play.”
As for the future, Ongarello has the same outlook as always.
“Watching local footy, I really respect the guys there, but for me the VFL is the place to be. I just love the challenge, the professionalism, just wanting to get the most out of myself and show I can play at this level.”
The Dolphins face North Ballarat this Sunday 5 June at Frankston Park.
Paul Kennedy
Last Modified on 03/06/2011 14:51