Tigers in better shape than this time last year: Prestia (Herald-Sun)

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Dion Presita says Tigers in better shape

Chris Cavanagh,
Herald Sun
22 January 2018

RICHMOND midfielder Dion Prestia has declared the Tigers are in better shape than they were this time last year as the club gets stuck into the training camp “where it all started” in 2017.

The reigning premiers are on the Sunshine Coast this week for a six-day camp which — like last year — will be about more than just sweating it out on the training track.

Last year’s camp had a large focus on team bonding and culture which players credited in helping end Richmond’s 37-year premiership drought last year.

This year’s camp is one day shorter but has been built around a similar schedule.

“It’s probably where it all started last year,” Prestia said.

“We got a lot out of the camp. We’ll obviously train hard but we’ll do a lot of team bonding activities and just getting to know each other better and just building those strong relationships which probably helped a lot during the year last year.

“You’re with each other a lot during the year but it’s just that extra level up here so it’s good to bond with each other.”
Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia celebrates last year’s Grand Final triumph. Picture: David Caird

Laughing off any talk of a premiership hangover, Prestia said all key indicators were suggesting the Tigers were fitter and stronger than they were this time last year.

“I think we’re going probably better than we were last year,” he said.

“That was going to be a challenge for the boys in the off-season just how we come back but everyone’s really impressive on the track and all our running times, they’re all better than what they were last year so it’s been a real good start.

“We obviously celebrated the grand final victory and everything but once it was time to come back to work everyone knuckled down and came back in great shape.

“Everyone else is improving and we feel that we have a lot of improvement as well. Even coming off a premiership we feel there’s a lot of improvement still to go and it’s just the start.”

Forward Daniel Rioli has joined teammates on the camp and has resumed running as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

The Tigers face Essendon in their opening match of the pre-season competition in Wangaratta on February 24.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/dion-prestia-says-richmond-players-are-fitter-and-stronger-heading-into-2018-season/news-story/195501633a7d77ba648f33d983a9943c

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Tigers on the hunt for more success on Sunshine Coast

Tom Threadingham
Sunshine Coast Daily
23 January 2018

A dominant premiership title defence is looking promising for the Richmond Tigers, with the club entering their Sunshine Coast camp stronger than ever, according to midfielder Dion Prestia.

Prestia said going back-to-back in 2018 "hasn't been talked about", but he believed the squad had entered pre-season training fired up and in fine form.

"I think we are going probably better than where we were last year," Prestia said.

"That was going to be a challenge for the boys in the off-season just how we came back but everyone is really impressing on the track and all our running times, it's not everything, but they're all better than what they were last year. So it's been a real good start.

"We obviously celebrated the grand final victory and everything but once it was time to come back to work everyone knuckled down and came back in great shape."

Brownlow Medal star Dustin Martin is among those who've returned stronger and focussed on becoming even better.

"He pretty much did everything he could last year but Dustin is another one that has come back in real good nick this pre-season," Prestia said.

"So I'm sure he'll be looking to take his game to another level just like we all are."

Although they'll run out onto the pitch with targets on their back, Prestia said Richmond weren't getting caught up in the hype or pressure surrounding a 2018 premiership.

"We've got the camp which is a big part of our process leading into the season so we don't really talk about it until it's time to talk about it," he said.

"Even last year there wasn't talk about grand finals or anything up until the final so there's a long way to go before we start thinking about grand finals."

The Tigers ran out onto Maroochydore Mutli-Sport Complex fields yesterday for an open training session in front of fans.

Prestia said the club were keen to replicate last year's successful pre-season preparations in the region.

"It's maybe where it all started last year and we got a lot out of the camp," he said.

"Obviously with the success last year you want to do as much the same but you've also got to grow another level (because) everyone else is improving and we feel that we have a lot of improvement as well."

Along with skills and drills, team camaraderie was also a high priority as the Tigers gear up for the JLT Community Series.

"Our training will be hard but we'll do a lot of team-bonding activities and getting to know each other a lot better.," Prestia said.

"We've got a lot of new draftees which we all need to learn about so it's going to be a good week."

Along with witnessing their favourite players in action, fans also got to see first-hand the premiership cup, which the Tigers put on display in Maroochydore.

A large crowd turned out for the training session, all decked out in their best black and gold gear.

"It's a huge club with a lot of members, and with members all over Australia and the world, so coming up to the Sunny Coast it's no surprise to see a big crowd and everywhere you go there is Richmond supporters, which is great," Prestia said.

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/tigers-on-the-hunt-for-more-success-on-sunshine-co/3316335/