Prestia officially tells Suns he wants a trade AFL.com.au
28 August 2016DION Prestia has joined Jaeger O'Meara in wanting out of Gold Coast, officially requesting a trade to a Melbourne club.
Prestia penned a letter on his official Facebook page to break the news to fans.
As they did when O'Meara's news dropped on Thursday, the Suns has again stated they expected an acceptable deal for a trade to be completed.
"It's with a heavy heart that I inform you that it is my intention to return home to Melbourne during the trade period," Prestia said in his letter.
"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."
Although expected for some time, Prestia's desire to leave is a big loss for the Suns on the back of O'Meara's request.
The 23-year-old is a vice-captain and was taken with the pick No.9 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
"I will be forever grateful to the Gold Coast Suns for not only giving me an opportunity to play AFL but to allowing me to grow as a player and leader," Prestia said.
"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."
When asked about O'Meara's departure following Saturday night's loss to Port Adelaide, Suns coach Rodney Eade was dismissive.
"Footy clubs move on," Eade said.
"He's a player and he's going, wants to go, doesn't mean he'll get to where he wants to go.
"I don't know what the hysteria is. He's gone or going, we'll find someone else."
Dion Prestia's Facebook letter to fansDear 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 Prestiahttp://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-28/dion-prestia-officially-tells-suns-he-wants-a-trade
