The ‘bromance’ between Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia which is helping Richmond’s finals hopesJuly 28, 2017
Sarah Olle
FOX SPORTSIT MIGHT not be the most talked about ‘bromance’ at Richmond.
But the friendship that has endured between Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia is quite remarkable — even if it’s not as eye catching as the bond Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin share.
Caddy and Prestia were drafted to the Gold Coast Suns together in 2010, but knew each other beforehand because of their connection through junior footy.
And through a wicked twist of fate they’ve both ended up at the same Victorian club in Richmond some seven years later.
“I never thought we’d play together again once I left Gold Coast,” Caddy told foxfooty.com.au.
“We’re pretty tight. We live together and have known each other for over 10 years now.
“We’re good mates and it’s good to be playing footy with him.”
Caddy says he feels invigorated at his third club — he also played 71 games for Geelong from 2013-2016 — not just because of his friendship with Prestia, but because of the bond with his new teammates.
“The good thing about Richmond this year, for both of us, is that there’s a whole bunch of good blokes at the footy club,” Caddy said.
“We’ve fitted in really well, we get along with everyone. Everyone was really welcoming from the first day.
“As a club, we’re a pretty close group of guys and I think that’s impacted our footy this year.”
Now 24, Caddy says he looks at footy through a different lens — another reason he’s been able to enjoy 2017 so infinitely.
“I suppose as you get older too — not in a bad way — you take things less seriously,” he said.
“At the end of the day it’s just a game and over time I’ve learnt not to take it too seriously even though it’s a serious industry and you want to do your best and win games, you realise the reason we play footy is because we enjoy it.
“As kids and even at local level, people play footy because they love it. That’s something I’ve really tried to bring back.”
Caddy has played in all games bar one this season, adding some valuable midfield depth to Richmond’s list, along with Prestia.
In 2016, he was one of only 10 players in the AFL to average 20 or more disposals and one goal per game.
And while he hasn’t hit those same heights at Richmond, he’s played a valuable role in offering some protection for the likes of Cotchin and Martin.
It’s part of the reason Richmond has had such a successful season and surprised many experts who predicted nothing but misery for the club in 2017.
“With five rounds to go, for us to be sitting in fourth, I don’t think many people would have given us a hope. It has been a great year so far,” Caddy said.
Caddy said he was buoyed by the Western Bulldogs’ drought breaking premiership season, suggesting this year’s flag was “anyone’s”.
“Everyone refers to the Dogs last year, but they didn’t die wondering,” Caddy said.
“They just kept winning and won the flag when no one thought they could — and they probably didn’t even think they could.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/the-other-bromance-shaping-tigers-finals-hopes-josh-caddy-and-dion-prestia/news-story/fa4b7390c189c974c68c53de56baf6f0
