DANDENONG Stingrays will welcome back co-captain Jason Pongracic for their clash against Western Jets at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The tough on-baller has been absent due to Australian Institute of Sport duties in Europe and will bolster a Stingrays outfit that will lose a handful of players to school commitments.
Stingrays region manager Mark Wheeler said potential no. 1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield, Billy Hartung, Lewis Pierce, Angus Scott and Sam Banfield were all unavailable, with their private schools calling on their services.
Another AIS representative, Nathan Wright suffered a small break in his hand on the European tour and will miss a month.
“We always have a few blokes who have school commitments each each year,” Wheeler said. “This year across all the grades we have 12 players – some of our better players – who have their school commitments. We’ve also got 13 guys trying out for Vic Country so we’ll be decimated by that as well.”
The Stingrays return for their second game of the season at their Dandenong-based home ground, which boosts their chances of beating the eighth-placed Jets.
Wheeler said they are expecting a physical contest with the Steve Kretiuk-coached outfit.
A number of Stingrays players played at their club sides over the weekend with Stingrays’ coaching staff keeping a close eye on their form.
The Stingrays clash with Western Jets at Shepley Oval from 11am on Saturday.
