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AFL 2024: Dion Prestia to race in Gatorade Grand Final Sprint

Richmond has put in an eyebrow-raising entry for a key event on AFL Grand Final day.

Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia will race in the 2024 AFL Gatorade Grand Final sprint. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images
Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia will race in the 2024 AFL Gatorade Grand Final sprint. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Veteran Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia has been nominated by the Tigers to race in the annual Grand Final sprint on Saturday.

The 2019 best and fairest winner is a left-field entrant into the MCG race after he missed 10 games this season to hamstring and calf injuries.

The full field for the race, which is now sponsored by Gatorade, will not be released until Friday, but Prestia was lodged with the AFL as Richmond’s contender despite his injury woes in the last six months.

Richmond submitted Dion Prestia as its entrant in the 2024 Gatorade Grand Final Sprint. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images
Richmond submitted Dion Prestia as its entrant in the 2024 Gatorade Grand Final Sprint. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

The sprint, which has been held pre-game for the last two years after its final was staged during halftime between 2002 and 2019, was won last year by Geelong speedster Max Holmes from Brisbane’s Jaxon Prior and Melbourne’s Jed Adams.

Patrick Dangerfield famously claimed the race three years in a row from 2011-13 early in his time at Adelaide.

The Tigers were contacted for comment over Prestia’s entry.

Pop star Katy Perry will headline the Grand Final pre-game entertainment, and confirmed on Thursday she would perform her 2008 hit ‘I Kissed A Girl’ with a surprise Australian female artist.

Christine Anu will also perform alongside her daughter, Zipporah, while Mike Brady will return for his traditional appearance and Cody Simpson will perform the national anthem.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2024-dion-prestia-to-race-in-gatorade-grand-final-sprint/news-story/7eb36800d2141585adeefc618c5110e5