Dion Prestia says Richmond has plenty of improvement, which is a scary prospect for rivals

RICHMOND midfielder Dion Prestia has declared the Tigers have considerable improvement left in them, saying that’s a “scary” prospect going forward.

Dion Prestia celebrates a goal against Geelong. Picture: Mark Stewart

RICHMOND midfielder Dion Prestia has declared the Tigers have considerable improvement left in them ahead of Saturday week’s MCG preliminary final, saying that’s a “scary” prospect going forward.

While he is mindful the team still has a lot of work ahead of them, Prestia said the 51-point qualifying final victory over Geelong gave an indication of what they can collectively do when they play to their optimum level.

“It’s definitely not unexpected,” Prestia said of the belief and trust the players have in each other. “We know we can go to that level and playing like each week.”

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“I think we are just improving every week, (and) that’s a scary thing.

“We knew we had this in us. We are over the moon with our list and with the VFL boys ... I feel like we are really on a good track and I am sure we can go to another level.”

The 24-year-old continued his outstanding form on Friday night, having 31 touches (with 18 contested), and only being marginally behind Dustin Martin in the Herald Sun’s votes. He was a wrecking ball in close and still had the presence of mind to find space when it mattered — nailing a goal at the end of the third term after edging his way forward.

Dion Prestia tackles Joel Selwood during the qualifying final.

He is thriving in his first year at Punt Rd, after a slower-than-expected start to the season, but his recruitment has been paying dividends for months now.

“I feel like I am coming into pretty good form at the moment,” he said. “I felt like I was still playing my role at the start of the year, and obviously some people weren’t happy about the way I was going.”

“But I was just able to get to know how we play and get to know the players better. Inside the club I was an important part of the group and it was just about getting the rewards for the hard work.”

The former Gold Coast player said it hadn’t really sunk in that he was now about to play in a preliminary final for the chance to go into what would be the club’s first premiership playoff in 35 years.

“We will take the next couple of days off and probably celebrate it, and really let it sink in,” he said. “But by the time next week comes around, it is all about going to the next stage.”

Prestia said the roar of the Tiger Army was something he had never experienced before. He said it had a significant impact on the players from the moment they ran out to take on the Cats.

Dion Prestia had 31 disposals against Geelong on Friday night. Picture: Michael Klein

“Even when we ran out before the game, it was pretty crazy,” he said with a smile. “Once the ball is bounced, it is just another game. But when we had it sealed in the last quarter, you sort of start to take it all in a bit. It was awesome.”

“We try to take every moment as it comes, and every contest as it comes. I think that is why we have able to withstand a couple of challengers. Geelong came at us pretty hard in the third quarter, and we were able to stand up to it and get the job done. The way we played was just so good.”

Prestia praised captain Trent Cotchin for his contribution to the team: “He is awesome. Whenever we need someone to stand up, he is the one. He cares about everyone as a person and as a footballer. He is an awesome captain.”