The Richmond Tigers will be sans the services of Dion Prestia, hopefully just some time away from training, as he used the post-season to address some ankle issues that required surgery.
The impact on the Tigers should be minimal, however, as Prestia has already begun to do some running and he, along with everyone else in the Tigers’ organization expects him to be ready and fully fit for the 2018 AFL Premiership competition.
The Tigers took Prestia away from the Gold Coast Suns during the trade period following 2016 and it would have to be thought that Prestia is grateful to be out of that mess, not to mention his impeccable timing at moving to Richmond as the Tigers were surging on their way to the 2017 AFL championship.
He was a top performer for Richmond during the finals, saving his best for when it counted most.
According to Tigers’ physical performance manager Peter Burge, Prestia will be ready well ahead of the club’s season opener against the Carlton Blues.
Commenting of the Richmond Tigers website, Burge said, “Dion Prestia had very minor ankle surgery post-season and has resumed running. He’s been running now for about four weeks, but we’ll progress his program really carefully and have him in with the main group post-Christmas at this stage.”
Prestia was not the only Tiger to use the offseason to address some surgery issues. Forward Daniel Rioli had foot surgery, but seems to be progressing nicely, according to Burge.
“(Rioli) is walking around in his runners, which is a great sign. He’s doing a rehab program at the moment with some cross-training, weights all that type of stuff.”
Kane Lambert is recovered from minor knee surgery (tell that to our knees) and is soon set to resume regular training.
Oleg Markov and Jayden Short took care of minor issues for their upper extremities and are avoiding contact for the moment.
