Premiership Tiger calls time on career

Three-time Richmond premiership midfielder Dion Prestia has announced his retirement.

The 33-year-old has called time on his career with this Saturday’s clash with St Kilda his 254th AFL outing and final appearance in yellow and black.

Prestia's final game will come alongside premiership teammate Nathan Broad who also bows out after recently announcing his retirement. The match will mark fellow Suns draftee and Tigers flag-winning colleague Tom Lynch's 250th AFL outing.

“I felt like a Richmond Man from the very beginning,” Prestia said.

“My decision to come to Richmond was not to prove what I could do, but to be a part of a Club that I saw potential for greatness, and didn’t we prove that right?

“This last 10 years has been everything that I ever dreamt of as a kid, kicking the footy in my front yard and imaging 90,000 fans screaming. Thank you, Tiger Army, for making this happen.

“To go there one more time and celebrate with a legend in ‘Broady’ and for ‘Lynchy’s’ 250th is going to make it extra special.”

Affectionately known as Meatball, Prestia joined the Tigers from Gold Coast in late 2016 and had an immediate impact, helping the club win the drought-breaking flag in 2017.

He was a key figure in the 2019 and 2020 premierships as well, winning the Jack Dyer Medal as best and fairest in 2019.

Prestia was drafted by Gold Coast with Pick 9 in 2010 and played 95 games for the Suns before his trade to the Tigers in exchange for Pick 6 (and other picks changing hands).

The Greenvale and Calder Cannons product produced some massive moments for the Tigers including two second-half goals in the 2019 Preliminary Final win over Geelong, and another pair (including the opener) in the triumphant decider against the Cats at the Gabba in 2020.

He also kicked a fourth-quarter goal that helped seal the 2017 premiership against Adelaide at the 'G.

Prestia after the opening goal in the 2020 Grand Final at the Gabba.