Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia is flying under the radar, according to Garry Lyon.
Prestia underlined his importance to the Tigers with a superb display in last week’s win over Carlton finishing with 33 disposals, 19 contested possessions and 13 clearances.
The 29-year-old, who has missed a lot of football over the past three years due to soft tissue injuries, is an irreplaceable cog in Richmond’s midfield when fit.
Lyon thinks the triple-premiership Tiger is a player that doesn’t get spoken about enough.
Lyon said on SEN Breakfast: “The other player we don’t talk about enough is Dion Prestia.”
Tim Watson replied: “He was outstanding again last week too.”
Lyon added: “I put my hand up … I’ve known and appreciated how good a footy player he’s been.
“But when he’s going, how good is he?”
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Lyon also heaped praise on emerging Richmond star Shai Bolton.
Bolton is in All-Australian contention operating as a dangerous forward who can play through the midfield, stepping up in the Dustin Martin role.
“There’s a player who’s more important than ‘Dusty’ at the moment for Richmond, that’s Shai Bolton,” Lyon declared.
“He’s the one who is having the Dusty-like influence on games.
“Bolton’s the one. Every time he touches the footy … one in two ends up in a score.
“This is a bloke who goes in the middle, this is a bloke who goes forward and kicks goals.
“It’s great that Dusty’s back … but Bolton’s the one who would be giving Chris Scott most nightmares.”
Bolton is averaging 18 disposals, 3.7 clearances and 1.7 goals per game so far in 2022.
The 23-year-old is also ranked third for score involvements and seventh for goal assists in the AFL.
Richmond take on Geelong in a crucial Round 15 clash on Saturday.