Dion Prestia has officially confirmed that he is seeking a trade away from the Gold Coast Suns, writing an open letter to Suns fans on his facebook page on Sunday afternoon.
The letter reads:
Dear Suns fans,
It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you that it is my intention to return home to Melbourne during the trade period.
My manager, Marty Pask, and I had been as transparent as possible with the club. We wanted to make sure we kept the club up to date with my thinking and finally, once I had made my decision, we declared my intent to request a trade.
As part of those discussions we agreed, that in the best interests of the Gold Coast Suns, we would keep my intention confidential until the end of the season and I thank the club for their understanding, support and confidentiality.
I really didn’t want my decision impacting the playing group and to hold up my end of the bargain I gave a commitment to see out my contract to the best of my ability.
The club has also been very clear with me and my manger that they expect an acceptable trade to be facilitated. I understand that and I also want the club that I represented with pride on 95 occasions to be compensated adequately.
I will be forever grateful to the Gold Coast Suns for not only giving me an opportunity to play AFL but to allow me to grow as a player and leader. I know I leave the club a better person than the day I walked through the door for the first time and that is a credit to everyone involved with the club.
I’ve been lucky enough to have played with, been coached by, and have worked with a large number of great people. To each and everyone one of them I want to say thanks and I wish them and the club all the very best for the future.
To you, the fans, who have been so supportive I say thank you. To be an inaugural player with the Suns is something I will forever grateful for and those memories of the club’s first ever game, our first win, our first game here on the Gold Coast and all the hard work that has been done to set up the Gold Coast Football Club is something I will never forget.
Thank you and farewell
Dion Prestia
I’m working from memory here but I think it might be the first time a player has ever asked for a trade on facebook. Welcome to the social media age, AFL fans.
It caps off a horror week for the Suns in which they have also seen Jaeger O’Meara officially request a trade, and also endured fresh rumours that David Swallow may also look to depart the club.
Although Prestia does not confirm as such in his facebook post, it’s believed that Richmond is his preferred destination, with a straight swap for the Tigers’ first round draft pick mooted as the likely exchange.
That selection will be pick No.6 overall, before any alterations are made to the order through priority picks or academy and father-son bidding.
In a brief statement on their website, the Gold Coast Suns acknowledged Prestia’s decision and confirmed they expect “an acceptable deal to be presented for a trade to be facilitated.”
Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Damien Hardwick has predicted Toby Greene's one-match suspension will be upheld by the AFL tribunal, but the triple-premiership coach says he wouldn't ban the…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
