Nothing like a heart attack to start the year off....
Once again it was hard to keep track of Presti when he was on the further side of the ground from where i was sitting. And ofcourse im sure most of you would understand that i kind of lost track there during the last quarter lol...
Presti must have ran 1000 K's today and he spent alot of time following Brown back and forth. I noticed that Presti was coming up field alot more than he usually does.
He spent 99% of the day on Leigh Brown. He spent very short stints on Matt Campbell and Corey Jones in the 2nd quarter before moving back to Brown. Also during the last quarter he spent a couple of moments on Swallow and interestingly Harvey who is about the size of Presti's leg.
1st Quarter:
Vs Leigh Brown; 1 Kick.
Stated the game at CHB but spent most of this quarter following Brown upfield. From the first bounce Presti followed Brown and was involved in a ball up in the centre square. I almost felt like Brown was taking him out of Presti's danger area... which ofcourse is CHB/FB. When Roos players were lining up Presti would follow Brown out of the 'danger zone'.
One thing that upset the crowd was when Presti made a spoil in defence but the umpire called the mark. Perhapd Presti was a bit late but i'd like to see that again.
2nd Quarter:
Vs Leigh Brown; 1 Kick, 1 Handball, 1 Tackle and 2 Spoils.
Brown did score a goal this quarter after losing Presti in a pack situation. Presti wasnt close enough to make a spoil attempt. I think he was just going for the ball and Brown snuck out and took a mark.
I dont think Presti spent as much time running around after Brown this quarter and seemed happy enough to be planted at the FB position.
In this quarter he also spent very short stints on Matt Campbell and Corey Jones before going back to Brown. (Wakelin spent time on Brown).
It was good to see Presti giving some direction to the younger players when they were changing match ups. Communication between Presti and Wakes was also a good sign.
This could just be me wearing my Presti goggles, but right near the end of the quarter it seemed as if he flew for a second in an attempt to spoil a mark. Perhaps we should call him Air Presti?
3rd Quarter:
Vs Leigh Brown; 3 Kicks, 1 Handball, 2 Spoils and 2 Marks.
I believe the entire quarter was spent on Brown at CHB.
My notes say something interesting happed at the end of the 3rd, but i cant remember what it was... i'll have to watch the replay to see what it was lol.
4th Quarter:
Vs Leigh Brown; 1 Kick, 1 Handball
Vs Andrew Swallow; 1 Handball, 1 Spoil, 1 Mark.
There was an interesting incident which was against Swallow (i think). The ball was tumbling towards the boundry line and he was one on one out with the Roos player. Presti won out, beat the line and kicked the ball forward. Maxwell kicked the goal from this play. It was a huge effort from Presti and he deserves every credit for the goal. (ok i'll settle for the assist)
Not to long after Maxwells goal, I dont know if Presti was looking for someone to pick up or just noticed Brent Harvey on his own, but Presti picked up Harvey for a few moments in the later parts of the last. Which perhaps shouldnt be so suprising as he has played on smaller players like Milne (in a practice game) and Scott West (last years Qualifying Final).
Harvey got a mark and took on Presti and I thought for a second that Presti was gonna catch him (Sampi Style) but Harvey got away and kicked the goal. Geez if Presti had of caught him it would have brought the house down... aswell as my lungs...
My notepad went back into my pocket when the game got close, but im pretty sure Presti stayed on Brown/Swallow til the final siren... which took its sweet ass time!
Goald kicked against; Two. (That includes Harveys... i dont know if it should count or not)
Top efforts from Presti, especially in the last quarter. He wont be a vote getter but he never gives up in a chase and once again gave his all.