Uncontracted Sun Dion Prestia close to making a call on his futureIn demand: Three Victorian clubs are leading the charge for Gold Coast ball-winner Dion PrestiaJon Pierik
The Age
12 June 2016Gold Coast Sun Dion Prestia, one of the premier uncontracted stars this year, will move a step closer towards clarifying his future when he meets with his management this week.
Prestia, who will line up against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday, will sit down with his manager Marty Pask in Melbourne as the Suns enjoy the mid-season bye.
The hard-running midfielder has long been a focus of Melbourne clubs keen to tempt him home but has so far resisted lucrative offers. But, turning 24 in October, and with a desire to play in a successful side, while also weighing up a lifestyle move in terms of being close to home, the Sun now faces a pivotal decision.
It's understood the Suns have yet to offer Prestia a contract. Money is unlikely to be an issue, for the Suns have much room under the salary cap.
Taken with pick nine in the 2010 national draft from the Calder Cannons, Prestia has been with the Suns since they entered the AFL. He has played in 91 matches, including 10 this year, and was arguably their best against Sydney in monsoon conditions last week with 39 disposals. He has enjoyed a strong month, also having 28 touches against the Giants, 31 against Adelaide and 27 against the Eagles.
In a season which has gone horribly wrong, largely because of injuries, the Suns are also hoping fellow onballer Jaegar O'Meara re-signs.
O'Meara has not played a match since tearing the patella tendon in a knee during a NEAFL practice game in April 2015, having earlier battled knee soreness.
He is from Western Australia but has property in Melbourne and is understood to be weighing up all options.
In a recent Suns' members forum, vice-captain Steven May said he felt mateship would be a reason why the pair would ultimately remain.
"You can't question our mateship and the brotherhood we have at the club," May said.
"The last contract I signed I had offers to go elsewhere and at the end of the day it came down to the fact I couldn't leave my teammates. We all came here as 17, 18-year-olds and have gone through some tough times.
"The easy option would be to go to a Melbourne club that is playing finals. But if you have been here and gone through what we have gone through you see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's going to be so much more rewarding.
"It's part of the reason why I recommitted last year. I think the only reason why someone would leave is to go back home or for family. We are an incredibly tight bunch of guys here and that is ultimately what made me re-sign and why Tommy (Lynch) re-signed."
Coach Rodney Eade has said Prestia and O'Meara "are not going as far as we are concerned".
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