Essendon believe recruit Brent Prismall will be a 10-year player for the AFL club despite the talented midfielder facing a late start at his new home because of a serious knee injury.
Prismall, who has been frustrated by a lack of opportunity at Geelong, was today traded to the Bombers in exchange for pick No.39 in November’s national draft.
The 22-year-old had struggled to be a permanent fixture in the Cats’ best 22 after being snared at pick No.32 in the 2004 draft, and managed 25 games in three seasons.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said the Bombers targeted the out-of-contract Cat for some time and were not fazed by his injury, which he sustained in Geelong’s qualifying final against St Kilda.
Prismall did not play in the Cats’ loss to Hawthorn in the grand final, having also been unable to squeeze into Geelong’s 2007 premiership side.
“He’s obviously got a knee injury and that’s an initial hurdle but that didn’t deter us at any stage,” Dodoro said.
“We’ve got a very young team and he just fits into our demographics perfectly.
“We’ve got a strategy going forward in that we’ll have sustainable success in 2010 and 2011 and he fits into that.
“We think he can be a 10-year player for us.”
Bombers coach Matthew Knights said he was impressed by Prismall’s leadership aspirations when he met him, but said the club would not rush his rehabilitation after he had reconstructive surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate ligament.
“We’ll work with him very closely and be patient — it’s all about his well-being,” Knights said.
“If he’s ready by round four, great, if he’s ready by round six, great, if he’s not ready until round 12 so be it. It’s all about what’s best for Brent Prismall.”
Prismall said he was determined to start running again by Christmas because it would make him feel more like an athlete again, instead of a slob on the couch.
Despite wishing he would land at Windy Hill, Prismall admitted trade week had been really stressful.
But it was nothing compared to the emotions he had to deal with after telling his former coach and teammates he wanted out.
“Probably, the hardest part was speaking to Bomber (Geelong coach Mark Thompson) and telling him I was going to leave,” Prismall said.
“He didn’t really agree with that and I knew that was probably going to come.
“Speaking to the players was probably one of the hardest things, telling my close mates I was going to leave for more opportunity.
“They were really good and understood I was leaving for the right reasons.”
Geelong football manager Neil Balme said the Bombers were fortunate to receive the disgruntled Cat for the price of a late third-round selection in the draft.
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