Dion Prestia still expected to land at Richmond despite delay over proposed pick swapSAM LANDSBERGER
Herald Sun
October 14, 2016 8:36pmRICHMOND’S desire to improve its standing in the second round of the draft has delayed its trade for Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia.
But the deal looks set to be finalised next week with the Suns poised to secure the Tigers’ No.6 draft pick.
That would deliver Gold Coast a draft bounty with three top-10 selections and academy star Jack Bowes, who has been likened to Simon Black.
The Tigers netted No.27 for departed free agent Tyrone Vickery and could try to rise higher into the second round, given that selection looms as their first choice on draft night.
The Suns hold picks 22, 24 and 26.
Under the AFL’s new draft system, a swap of pick 27 for 22 would deliver the Tigers a bonus 142 points.
That trade would see Richmond secure Prestia and pick 22 for picks six and 27.
Another trade being discussed is for Richmond to instead receive Gold Coast’s No.30 selection in exchange for a future second-round selection.
But the Suns have so far held firm that Prestia should command pick six in a clean trade.
The onballer has long committed to the Tigers on a five-year contract and his camp was last night supremely confident he would land at Punt Rd.
The Suns had held out some hope that if trade talks broke down, Prestia could stay at Metricon Stadium.
Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said he expected the clubs would broker a trade.
“Dion’s a little bit less complicated (than Jaeger O’Meara),” Ashcroft said.
“We’re quite confident we’ll get a deal done with Richmond sooner rather than later, and that all centres around their pick six.”
Prestia, 24, landed a rich offer from the Tigers after playing 95 games in six seasons at Gold Coast.
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