Star Richmond premiership midfielder Dion Prestia showed he has recovered from the hamstring injury that interrupted the latter part of his pre-season, with a strong showing for the Tigers’ VFL team in a practice match earlier today against Box Hill Hawks at the Swinburne Centre’s Punt Road Oval.
Prestia looked a class above the level, as he racked up 19 disposals, along with five clearances and eight tackles, before being rested from about midway through the third quarter.
It remains to be seen whether the Richmond selectors believe Prestia now has sufficient match fitness to be recalled to the senior line-up for next Sunday’s Round 3 fixture against Hawthorn at the MCG, but he certainly boosted his promotional chances with that impressive display today.
The VFL Tigers finished their pre-season campaign undefeated, recording a 23-point victory over the Box Hill Hawks – 11.14 (80) to 8.9 (57) – in a hard-fought contest.
Only nine points separated the teams at the last change (in Richmond’s favour), but the home side managed to overpower the visitors in the final term, scoring 4.4 to 2.2.
Richmond’s first pick in last year’s AFL national draft, talented, young, small forward/midfielder Jack Higgins, produced another eye-catching performance, picking up 22 disposals, taking six marks, applying five tackles and kicking a goal.
The Tigers’ third pick in the 2017 national draft, athletic tall Noah Balta, underlined his aerial strength, plucking eight marks across the backline.
Connor Menadue showcased his run-and-carry off half-back, finishing with an equal team-high 25 disposals, including four rebound-50s and five inside-50s, plus seven marks.
Sam Lloyd, playing through the midfield, had 21 disposals, with four clearances, took four marks and kicked a goal.
Tenacious midfielder Anthony Miles was typically industrious around the packs right through the match. He had an equal team-high 25 touches (11 contested possessions), seven clearances, three inside-50s, took seven marks and booted a goal.
Ivan Soldo was prominent in the ruck for the Tigers, winning 20 hit-outs, to go with his 15 disposals and four marks.
Clever small forward Tyson Stengle and promising, tall utility Mabior Chol were the equal leading goalkickers for Richmond with two apiece.
There was further good news for the Tigers on the day with experienced ruckman Shaun Hampson and young utility Nathan Drummond both returning to the playing field following lengthy stints on the sidelines because of injury.
It was Drummond’s first game since undergoing a second knee reconstruction early last season and although he didn’t get a stack of ball in the time he was out there, it was an important step in his comeback program.
Hampson, who has been battling a severe back injury, played about two and a half quarters and will look to increase his match minutes next week.
