Prestia’s path to the biggest club in the land took a detour via the sunny Gold Coast, where he plied his trade for six seasons, before his inclusion to the Tigers’ line-up helped them rocket to their first flag in 37 years.
A product of former talent manager Ian Kyte’s Calder Cannons footy factory, Prestia visited Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake yesterday to face the media before Richmond’s JLT Series game against Melbourne at Deakin Reserve tomorrow.
Prestia’s message to his adoring Tiger fans was simple — we don’t bite.
‘‘It’s obviously a lot different to the Gold Coast where I was, where it was a lot yourself getting out there (in the community), whereas (here) it’s everyone wanting to come to you,’’ Prestia, 27, said.
‘‘We’re lucky and grateful for being able to have that. I think it’s what Community Camp is all about and I think every other club would be the same, just getting out to country towns where it might be a bit hard for them to come back into Melbourne or into the city to watch their teams play.
‘‘I just suggest to everyone in Shepparton area just to come out and say hello, we’re always up for a chat, we’re not any different to you or me.’’
The man they — particularly media icon Brian Taylor — call the ‘‘Human Meatball’’ is not afraid to put his head over the rock, but for once enters an AFL season as fresh as a daisy.
‘‘This was probably my first year in about four years where I didn’t have surgery in the off-season,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve been able to do everything, the camp up on the Gold Coast this year that we had I was able to do everything as well.
‘‘It was definitely my best pre-season for a long time and just hoping I can roll that into the season and keep going.’’
There is no shortage of motivation for the Tigers this campaign, unable to make it back-to-back flags last season, despite dominating the league for much of the year.
A surging Collingwood thrashed them in a 10-goal to four first-half preliminary final blitz, but Prestia said the side did not need to use the loss as fuel on the motivational fire.
‘‘I think we’ve all accepted that Collingwood were amazing on the night and we probably did the same thing in 2017 where we got into some great form in the finals,’’ he said.
‘‘You accept the loss, it happens in footy, I think this pre-season we’ve come back probably not the best ever, but everyone’s in good condition.
‘‘Hopefully playing against some opposition will be good to see where we’re at.’’
Which leads to tomorrow, where the Tigers will face Melbourne in their first test of the pre-season.
While high profile recruit Tom Lynch, who followed Prestia’s path from the Gold Coast to Punt Rd, will not play, along with 2017 premiership stars Shaun Grigg, Josh Caddy and Jason Castagna, it is a Tiger side bursting with household names such as Martin, Cotchin, Rioli, Rance and Riewoldt.
‘‘You kinda want to play every game to win, everyone who was available to play is playing,’’ Prestia said.
‘‘We only have two games this year compared to three in the previous years, so everyone who is available is ready to go. You may as well roll out the best team you have.’’
