David Harding
Gippy
Kristy lee
Cain LynchFarewell Presti
November 11th 2010 14:46
Simon Prestigiacomo announcing his retirement put an end to an era at the Pies, with another key man that has spent the best part of the last decade at Collingwood. He will be known not only as the man who barely said two words on the footy field and to the football media.
But he will forever be known for himself giving up his chance to play in an AFL Premiership side when he declared himself unft for the first Grand Final. Being a Collingwood supporter, I was saddened at his sudden departure from the game, it was inevitable that he was going to go, but one more year may have seen him wearing a premiership medallion.
The above was taken from Wikipedia, Presti kicked the 3 goals in his career, and managed a total of 233 games. Simon took over the number of my childhood hero, which made him an instant favourite, I enjoyed watching Presti, he was a team man, one of the best in fact, he would often sacrifice his own game for the betterment of the team.
There would be no one in the game that cannot say that Prestigiacomo was not the ulitmate professional, he would show up to the games, play his game, and go home, you would never hear him gloat, bag anyone, nor act cocky or think he was the best player going.
But not only will I remember this great player for his abilities, but for that one moment on the last Saturday in September, a man who would have dreamed to have ran out onto the MCG wearing his teams colours and playing in that Grand Final, he gave his spot to Nathan Brown, because he was fitter.
And Nathan Brown did not look back, he took his spot and he made us all Collingwood supporters proud by taking Riewoldt out of the contest and beating him in both Grand Finals.
I do hope that Simon sticks around at Collingwood as a coach, and can help bring up a new batch of defenders with the same Presti attitude, and team spirit.
Good luck in life Presti, you will be missed at the Collingwood Football Club, but you will never be forgotten, you took a famous mans jumper, and made it your own, may life bring you much success in whatever you do.
But he will forever be known for himself giving up his chance to play in an AFL Premiership side when he declared himself unft for the first Grand Final. Being a Collingwood supporter, I was saddened at his sudden departure from the game, it was inevitable that he was going to go, but one more year may have seen him wearing a premiership medallion.
Prestigiacomo was picked up as a first-round draft pick in the 1995 AFL Draft by Collingwood as a tall youngster who was capable as a strong forward who could play in the midfield. He was drafted from Research Junior Football Club. But the Magpies developed him into a key defender as his form was good enough for him to play the final 12 games in his debut year of '96.
In 1997 his career was threatened to be almost over after contracting glandular fever throughout the season. He only managed 6 matches. Presti also struggled during the 1998 season with shoulder injuries, playing 10 games and kicking two goals for the year. However, it was during this season where then Collingwood Assistant Coach Danny Frawley would give Prestigiacomo defensive roles during Collingwood reserves games.
Wearing the number 35, made famous by Collingwood legend Peter Daicos, Presti would seemingly have big shoes to fill.
In 1999 he made a breakthrough in his career. He was solid enough as the Pies Full Back and proved a needed player. Collingwood had a season to forget, finishing last and receiving the 1999 Wooden Spoon. But Prestigiacomo was starting to have an impact on games.
.In 1997 his career was threatened to be almost over after contracting glandular fever throughout the season. He only managed 6 matches. Presti also struggled during the 1998 season with shoulder injuries, playing 10 games and kicking two goals for the year. However, it was during this season where then Collingwood Assistant Coach Danny Frawley would give Prestigiacomo defensive roles during Collingwood reserves games.
Wearing the number 35, made famous by Collingwood legend Peter Daicos, Presti would seemingly have big shoes to fill.
In 1999 he made a breakthrough in his career. He was solid enough as the Pies Full Back and proved a needed player. Collingwood had a season to forget, finishing last and receiving the 1999 Wooden Spoon. But Prestigiacomo was starting to have an impact on games.
The above was taken from Wikipedia, Presti kicked the 3 goals in his career, and managed a total of 233 games. Simon took over the number of my childhood hero, which made him an instant favourite, I enjoyed watching Presti, he was a team man, one of the best in fact, he would often sacrifice his own game for the betterment of the team.
There would be no one in the game that cannot say that Prestigiacomo was not the ulitmate professional, he would show up to the games, play his game, and go home, you would never hear him gloat, bag anyone, nor act cocky or think he was the best player going.
But not only will I remember this great player for his abilities, but for that one moment on the last Saturday in September, a man who would have dreamed to have ran out onto the MCG wearing his teams colours and playing in that Grand Final, he gave his spot to Nathan Brown, because he was fitter.
And Nathan Brown did not look back, he took his spot and he made us all Collingwood supporters proud by taking Riewoldt out of the contest and beating him in both Grand Finals.
I do hope that Simon sticks around at Collingwood as a coach, and can help bring up a new batch of defenders with the same Presti attitude, and team spirit.
Good luck in life Presti, you will be missed at the Collingwood Football Club, but you will never be forgotten, you took a famous mans jumper, and made it your own, may life bring you much success in whatever you do.
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