By JARROD POTTER
LEADING the Dolphins into the 2016 VFL season isn’t something newly announced captain Jason Pongracic will take lightly.
Pongracic, 21, from Cranbourne, has been a mainstay at the Dolphins for the last three seasons and has been thrust into the top echelon of the club’s 2016 leadership group.
The club’s internal ballot revealed a lot about what his team mates think of the former Dandenong Stingrays captain and their belief in his leadership capabilities.
“Pretty stoked, obviously a massive honour to be given the captaincy,” Pongracic said. “The most important thing is what the team mates think and getting voted in and given the role by them is pretty special.”
Taking the captaincy won’t change Pongracic’s actions though – he wants to lead by example as usual and not let it get in the way of his on-field responsibilities.
“I don’t think much will change – I won’t change because of being given the title,” Pongracic said. “Go about things the same way I have before – lead the way in how I act.
“I don’t expect anyone to do what I wouldn’t do.”
What he does best – the inside roving work – hasn’t been easy at Frankston Park during Pongracic’s VFL time, but he believes the side is trending upwards this time around especially with a list of high-calibre inclusions.
“I’m not too sure how we’ll go, but I’m pretty excited about what we can do this year,” Pongracic said. “We’re coming from a fair way back last year, after not winning a game, but I think we’ll be more competitive and pinch a few games along the way.
“We’ve got a good mix of young guys who have a bit of experience and we’ve added in a couple of important players into the side.
“Really excited about what we can achieve and keen to get the season underway and change the perception of Frankston.”
The Dolphins inclusions for season 2016 are led by Andrew McInnes, from Devon Meadows by ways of Carlton and Norwood in the SANFL, as well as Josh Bennett and ruckman Michael Sikora.
Add to that debuting VFL prospects from the Stingrays – Pearcedale’s Harry Prior and Daniel Capiron – and Pongracic thinks the side is on the right path for 2016 and beyond.
Just as important as the ins are usually the outs at Frankston … but this time around there hasn’t been an exodus.
The Dolphins list from 2015 is full of inclusions and lacks the usual loss of players that has dogged the side in recent campaigns.
“We had a massive turnover at the start of last season when Goose (Simon Goosey) left and Patty Hill came in – but last year to this year we’ve only lost two or three,” Pongracic said. “We lost our captain Shane Hockey to the WAFL and Josh Tynan off to Port and apart from that we’ve kept the top 30-40 together and kept the senior group together.”
Frankston’s season begins on Saturday night at Casey Fields when they battle local rivals Casey Scorpions from 7pm.
