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.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
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.
Originally published as AFL 2024: Dion Prestia to race in Gatorade Grand Final Sprint
Shock scenario in Bailey Smith stalemate
Bailey Smith’s Western Bulldogs exit has set up a potentially rare scenario that could deliver a shock result as Geelong’s offer hits a stalemate.
The late draft pick that could deliver Stringer to Giants
Essendon is open to trading inconsistent star Jake Stringer to GWS as the 30-year-old considers a beefed-up offer from the Giants.
Festival of Lies: Clubs ‘treating public for fools’ in trade spotlight
It’s the time of year for list managers and recruiters to shine, but the trade period has become a festival of lies. SCOTT GULLAN writes, the days of getting away with such gibberish are gone.
Revealed: Staggering asking price leaves Blue out in cold
The huge price Carlton forward Matt Owies has put on his head can be revealed as rival clubs baulk at his contract demands. Recap all the action from day 2 of the trade period here.
Rioli at centre of historic Tigers draft haul as rivals plot future raid
Rivals are planning to test the resolve of more Richmond stars in trade talks after this year’s Punt Road exodus. Plus, how many draft picks will the Tigers end up with?
Max’s Metrics: Numbers behind stars Saint’s staggering contract
Max King has signed an eye-boggling new contract after the Saints lined his numbers up against past greats. They liked what they saw and here is how the spearhead compares to 12 others.