Written by Dimity Barber, Berwick Leader. 7 Jun 12
LOCAL junior footballer Jason Pongracic is one of the top 30 young AFL players in the country.
The 18-year-old co-captain of the Dandenong Stingrays has been named in the latest Australian Institute of Sport intake for under-18s.
The year 12 student is performing a juggling act of maintaining his studies at Koo Wee Rup Secondary College, football training during the week and playing competitively at the weekend.
“It’s pretty hard to balance at times,” he said.
But the Cranbourne teen, who would love to be drafted by Collingwood, makes use of his spare periods during school hours to catch up on his homework.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeates called Pongracic “your classic on-ball, hard-at-the-footy type”.
“He’s got a big, strong body and craves a contest,” Yeates said.
Pongracic, who is also part of the Vic Metro team currently competing at the AFL U18 National Championships, is hoping he’ll be drafted to his beloved Collingwood Magpies this year, but would gladly move to any club that recruited him.
“I’m pretty easy to go anywhere, but Collingwood would be the dream,” he said.
Last Modified on 13/06/2012 21:00