Jack Dyer Medal: Dion Prestia wins his first Richmond best-and-fairest
Dion Prestia fought back tears accepting Richmond’s best-and-fairest award after a brilliant premiership campaign. Where did Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin finish?
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Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia has claimed his first Jack Dyer Medal, joining esteemed company as a Tigers best-and-fairest winner in a premiership season.
Prestia — who finished 11th in last year’s count and 10th in 2017 — capped the best season of his career by polling 91 votes, 12 clear of his next best teammate.
Shane Edwards recorded the first top-three finish of his career to finish second on 79 votes, with key defender Dylan Grimes third on 75 votes.
Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, who won the club champion award in 2016 and 2017 and polled 23 Brownlow votes, finished sixth.
“It’s just an amazing feeling and I don’t know why I’m crying,” Prestia said as he accepted the award on stage last night.
“It’s just an amazing club to be a part of and just looking at the list of ex-winners, it’s just really incredible to be up here right now.
“Obviously, the premierships are what you play the game for. It was pretty cool getting home over the weekend and putting the medal next to the one from 2017. To be a two-time premiership player at a club like Richmond is pretty unbelievable and I’m pretty stoked to be up here now, that’s for sure.”
Prestia, who joined the Tigers from Gold Coast at the end of 2016, averaged a career-high 27.4 disposals and rated above average in his position for contested possessions, clearances and pressure.
Nicknamed “Meatball”, the 26-year-old was one of just two Tigers to play all 25 games this year — key forward Tom Lynch was the other — and was ranked the ninth-best midfielder in the AFL on Champion Data’s figures.
Edwards, who finished fourth in Richmond’s best-and-fairest last year, averaged a career-high 21.9 disposals and 5.4 intercept possessions.
Grimes, who earned All-Australian selection for the first time this year, played 24 games and averaged a career-high 6.8 intercept possessions.
Described as “The General” in the Tigers’ defence, Grimes held the fort after Alex Rance was lost to a season-ending knee injury in Round 1.
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“Off-field to have him (Rance) this year while he’s been injured but in my corner as a mentor has been phenomenal for my development,” Grimes said after Saturday’s Grand Final triumph.
Fellow defender Nick Vlastuin finished fourth in the count, with recruit Tom Lynch rounding out the top five.
The 2018 winner, Jack Riewoldt, finished outside the top 10 after playing just 13 games due to injury.
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HARDWICK PRAISES UNLUCKY FIVE
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick paid tribute to five players who made “valuable contributions” to the Tigers’ push to Grand Final glory despite missing last Saturday’s big dance.
Hardwick used much of his speech at Richmond’s best and fairest count to make a “special mention” to the five, led by midfielder Jack Graham who played on in the preliminary final after dislocating his shoulder in the opening half.
“The impact he had in that preliminary final and the absolute courage that man showed to go back on the field with one arm, I haven’t seen anything quite like it, Jack,” Hardwick said.
“We certainly wouldn’t be with this (premiership cup) and here today without you, so well done.”
Hardwick also recognised Jack Higgins and said he can’t wait to have the small forward back come Round 1 next year.
“To a young man in Jack Higgins, who had a significant injury like you would not believe,” Hardwick said.
“For him to make the time and effort to come down and see our playing group on Thursday, merely a week after his (brain) operation was simply inspirational. I can’t wait to get you back, mate, and I look forward to seeing you Round 1 next year.”
Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Ross – who missed both the club’s VFL and AFL Grand Final wins as they were senior emergencies – and injured vice-captain Alex Rance were also on Hardwick’s thank you list.
“They (McIntosh) and Ross) have made significant contributions to our footy club and when I asked them to withdraw from the VFL Grand Final they did not bat an eyelid and said, ‘Whatever you need, coach’,” Hardwick said.
“Then to unfortunately not represent our club in the Grand Final, without no complaint, so happy for the other 22 players to represent – to Kamdyn and Jack, I applaud you.
“I also want to acknowledge our spiritual leader and our vice-captain Alex Rance, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury. But his enthusiasm to get us back to the top where we wanted to get to never deviated. We look forward to having the No.1 draft pick back next year, Alex.”
2019 JACK DYER MEDAL TOP 20
1. Dion Prestia — 91
2. Shane Edwards — 79
3. Dylan Grimes — 75
4. Nick Vlastuin — 70
5. Tom Lynch — 69
6. Dustin Martin — 67
7. Bachar Houli — 64
8. Kane Lambert — 63
9. David Astbury — 55
10. Jason Castagna, Daniel Rioli — 47
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