Richmond completes deal for Dion Prestia, Gold Coast receives pick 6

RICHMOND has finally sealed the deal for Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia, parting with pick No.6 as expected, as well as a future second-round pick.

DION Prestia sought assurances from Richmond it was not going to sack coach Damien Hardwick before he arrived at Punt Rd on Wednesday.

The Herald Sun revealed Gold Coast had traded Prestia and pick 24 to the Tigers for Richmond’s No.6 pick and second-round selection next season.

Richmond was desperate to secure another second-round pick in this year’s draft and the Tigers have also handed Reece Conca a new two-year contract.

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Ben Lennon asked for a trade but looks certain to stay at Punt Rd next season with no serious interest in the contracted former first-round pick.

A year after Adam Treloar spurned Richmond because he believed Collingwood was closer to a premiership, Prestia said the Tigers’ list was his deciding factor.

The onballer can’t wait to join captain Trent Cotchin and superstar Dustin Martin in the midfield and believes a return to September is possible in 2017.

Dion Prestia is now a Richmond player. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

And Prestia said he would be “rapt” if former Suns teammate and housemate Josh Caddy decides to join him at the Tigers.

Caddy and Prestia have been friends for 11 years and the Tigers want to prise him from Geelong before Thursday’s 2pm trade deadline.

Prestia was unfazed by Richmond’s nosedive to 13th this year as it won just eight games.

“They’ve played finals the last three years,” Prestia said.

Dion Prestia says he picked the Tigers for their list. Wants to join Martin, Cotchin in the guts pic.twitter.com/z4HRammjIP

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 19, 2016

Welcome Dion 🐯🐯 #😋

— Trent Cotchin (@tcotchin9) October 19, 2016

Welcome Toby 🐯🐯 #👊🏼

— Trent Cotchin (@tcotchin9) October 19, 2016

“This year was an off year I feel, but I definitely think finals are on the cards.”

“Coming home was a big factor. Picking Richmond was probably (because of) their list, so being able to play with the likes of Martin, Cotchin in the midfield and also having the two Ellis boys (Corey and Brandon), and (Anthony) Miles in there as well.

“It was a really strong midfield and then there’s also some really strong players at either end.”

Trent Cotchin in action against Geelong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Dustin Martin breaks out of a tackle. Picture: Colleen Petch

Prestia, 24, was offered a rich contract until 2021 after 95 games in six seasons at the Suns.

The Calder Cannons product decided on Richmond months ago, as a knee injury again prematurely ended his season.

Prestia has missed 32 games in the past two years but said he was back running after an arthroscope and would be eased into pre-season.

He is the biggest fish Richmond has landed in some time, averaging 26 disposals, five tackles and four clearances this season.

On Hardwick, Prestia said: “We obviously asked the question”.

“But they were confident that Dimma was in contract and guaranteed to be here next year.

“I’ve only met him a couple of times and every time I’ve been really comfortable and really believed in the direction and believed in him.”

Prestia nervously waited for the trade to be completed at his parents house on Wednesday and celebrated with a gym session.

Originally published as Richmond completes deal for Dion Prestia, Gold Coast receives pick 6