By JARROD POTTER
SET to make amends for his surprise omission from the AFL draft, Jason Pongracic has put another step in the right direction by being named in a select group of footballers in the VFL Academy.
Part of the 18-man group, Pongracic, 18, from Cranbourne, gets another chance to develop his football along with his selection by the Frankston Dolphins.
The success of the academy is evident in last year’s draft list – with Jack Frost (Collingwood) and Dean Towers (Sydney) earning their place on AFL rosters.
“It’s obviously pretty pleasing to get a gig there,” Pongracic said.
“I’m pretty happy to be involved there and it’s another thing to get my name out there and get me a bit of exposure for the recruiters.”
Pongracic was pleased with the start of his VFL career, with last week’s win over Port Melbourne one of the best victories he has played in.
“Two matches in, I’ve had few practice matches, so it’s been interesting,” Pongracic said.
“It was an awesome win on the weekend and one of the best wins I’ve ever been involved in with what it meant to the boys around the club.
“It’s been really good – the boys have been awesome and made me feel comfortable.
“In my first game against Casey I was just finding my feet – but felt really good with my game on the weekend.”
The midfielder has worked hard on the deficiencies in his game and is hoping his selection in the academy will put paid to those issues that caused him to be overlooked last year.
“In the VFL and with the VFL Academy just working on those things that were the reasons I didn’t get drafted last year,” he said.
“For me it was my running capacity and outside game and hopefully that will come a bit more naturally with the pre-season I’ve done.
“Had a really good pre-season and covering the ground really well and hopefully that will show in my footy that I will work on spreading from the contest and not being stationary.
“Players receive individual coaching/mentoring, medical screening, nutritional education, GPS tracking, welfare and personal development services and access to combine testing as part of the academy.
