DANDENONG Stingrays produced a gritty four-quarter performance to defeat Sandringham Dragons by 15 points at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
Stingrays co-captain Jason Pongracic was sensational with four goals and an influential role through the midfield.
The Dragons fought to the finish and could have snatched a victory if it wasn’t for some inaccurate kicking. The final scoreline read 12.6 (78) to 8.15 (63).
“They came at us pretty hard but we had our noses in front most of the day,” Stingrays coach Graham Yeats said. “They missed some shots on goal, which didn’t help them, but we thought the match was pretty even statistically.”
Lachie Whitfield played after being in doubt with illness most of the week and was serviceable without being his best.
But it was Pongracic’s performance that will have AFL recruiters drooling, with the Berwick product displaying strong versatility. “He’s an adaptable player, he’s great at the stoppages and is tough and hard around the ball,” Yeats said.
The victory leaves the Stingrays in seventh position having won four of their last five matches.
With a month before the finals, Yeats believes his team is starting to hit its straps. “We always thought that we would be stronger in the second half of the season.”
The Stingrays clash with Eastern Ranges at Shepley Oval at 1pm on Saturday.
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