By JARROD POTTER
DANDENONG STINGRAYS tall Harry Prior soaked up his first run in the Victorian Football League.
With the TAC Cup on hiatus over the weekend, it gave the 194cm utility a chance to dabble with the next level up as he donned the Frankston Dolphins’ beloved black, red and white in their battle against Collingwood.
The new number 59 was given a monumental task first up as the 23rd man, with Prior’s first VFL challenge to battle as the relief ruckman on Sunday against Collingwood’s tall American convert Mason Cox.
He’s no stranger to a quick call up and an even bigger task once he’s arrived, with the Pearcedale Football Club tall similarly brought into the Dandenong Stingrays’ TAC Cup line-up last season for the last four matches of the year – including three finals.
But as always, round to round at the Stingrays or Panthers, Prior knuckled down and got to work, making a contest of every moment.
Prior held his own when thrown into the VFL centre circle, accruing eight touches and an impressive 21 hit outs from the inaugural run around Frankston Oval.
“The first quarter was a bit daunting, had to adjust to the pace, but I think I did alright in the end,” Prior said. “I was rucking most of the game so I was against Mason Cox for a bit of it … and getting used to the speed and the competitiveness of all the players.”
With a fleet of former Stingrays plying their craft at Kars Street, Prior was well at home in the Frankston colours and hopes to return and learn a bit more at the next step.
“I just saw it as a learning experience and wanted to get the most out of the game,” Prior said. “Seeing how hard all the players work – their incredible work rate and what’s needed to step up to the next level.”
“I’d like to get a couple more games in the VFL for a bit more experience, but hopefully I keep going the way I’ve been going … just try – whatever level I’m playing at – to play to the best of my ability.”
It wasn’t the Dolphins’ day though, despite the best efforts of Prior and his team-mates, as Collingwood stormed past the home side to claim a 41-point win.
Prior’s TAC Cup journey continues on Sunday when his Stingrays takes on the Northern Knights at Preston – with the 19-year-old featuring prominently across the season.
While his tasks vary in the Dandenong squad week-in, week-out – whether its forward one week, ruckman the next and centre-half-back the following round – Prior sees his best fit as whatever is asked of him … even if that means sacrificing his best position for team needs.
“I reckon it’s (TAC Cup) really good – a lot more experience – last year was a bit different to local footy, but getting used to it now and what works for me and what doesn’t,” Prior said. “Getting to compete against a few bigger boys and the different competitors I get to play against.
“I’ll just play wherever they need me – I don’t mind anywhere really, just as long as I get some game time.”
