Thanks lads, nice to know someone reads them lol!
With Williamstoen in a similer position to Collingwood, playing for a top 4 finish, it was interesting to see some of the BIG in's to the side.
With the focus being on Bux, it was nice to see he had some familier faces out on the filed with him. Licca and Presti!
Presti was dropped from the Pies side for Wakelin. I was quite dissapointed, as i was looking forward to Presti Vs Nietz in game 300. Also i had a new addition to my avatars collection ready!!
I believe Presti was dropped due to a nagging injury in his foot. And his last few games, it seemed like he had a bit of trouble finishing out a game. Dont forget that he also took a heavy hit last week, forcing him to miss most of the second half.
Waklein has been playing so well latly that it seemed like the right thing to do. Presti got brought back to Willi as Wakelin went through to tackle Nietz.
Presti's number for Williamstown was #72. A few years back i believe he wore 53... 35 backwards.
Anyway....
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Vs. Port Melbourne; VFL Rnd 19 2007.
1st Quarter;
Vs. Jeremy Dukes: 1 Kick, 2 Spoils, 1 Hit Out & 1 Free Against.
Vs. Sam Pleming: 1 Spoil
-Before the bounce, Presti was involved in a bit of roughing up with a couple of Port's forwards. Good luck fellas, this bloke is capable of taming Barry Hall.
-Presti lined up on Dukes. (So many Bloodsport quotes)
-Early on against Dukes, Presti was working him under the ball, but Dukes was given a free for hands in the back. Presti didnt agree shaking his head. Watching it on TV, it didnt seem like it was there.
-Presti rucked a throw in Vs Dukes... but the ball was thrown away from them.
-1 on 1 Vs Dukes, Presti got infront and almost took a one-hander. The ball went to ground as a pack formed. Willi managed a free.
-When our old friend Julian Rowe had a shot about 40 out, Presti gave Dukes no room as they saw the ball sail into the point post.
-Presti recieved a handpass from Stanley and got a quick kick away. The kick was almost smothered and dropped short, but managed to find Brett Johnson who got a handball to Licca, who kicked to Buckley. Buckley GOAL!!
-Once again against Dukes, Presti wasnt giving him an inch as they once again watched the ball fly into the point post. After thins, Dukes went off with the blood rule.
-Presti floated around Ports CHF line for a while before picking up Sam Plaming, where he made his first spoil for the day. (He got under the ball, but im sure he for a fist to it).
-Back on Dukes, Presti got another spoil.
-Presti rucked a throw up against Dukes in Ports forward pocket.
-As the ball spilt from a Port players spolied mark, the ball was punched down infront of Dukes with Presti right behind him. Dukes rushed the kick under pressure and his quick snap went through for a behind. Just.
-At a boundry throw in against Dukes, Presti got in the air and punched the ball to the advantage of Cameron Lockwood who kicked towards Willi's forwards.
-Presti and Dukes crashed into a pack as Kane McKenzi of Williamstown managed a top mark.
-Presti didnt leave the defensive zone all quarter.
2nd Quarter;
Vs. Jeremy Dukes: 1 Mark, 2 Handballs & 1 Free Against.
Vs. Adrian Bonaddio: 1 Spoil.
Vs. Kurt McGlynn: 1 Tackle.
-Dukes finally took a mark out on a lead. He was about 40 out, but kicked a behind.
-1 on 1 against Dukes, Presti got him under the ball, turned around and took an awesome one-handed mark on the defensive 50 metre line. While i was celebrating, Presti played on quickly and had his kick smothered. The ball was spilling and in Dukes advantage. Presti managed to catch up and bundles Dukes, and the ball, over the boundry line.
-Presti rucked the throw in against Bonaddio.
-Rowe had another shot at goal. Presti was against Dukes as he once again worked him under the ball as the ball went over their heads and went through for another Port behind.
-Presti left the defensive area and followed Dukes up towards the wing near play. As Port got possesion, Presti followed Dukes back toward their goal.
-Later on when Port was pushing forward, Nathan Brown called for the switch when Bonaddio put a Screen on Presti to free Dukes. Presti took the switch and chased Bonaddio as Brown took Dukes. Presti went with the flight of the ball as Bonaddio lead out too far. Presti usually follows his opponent so this was quite rare.
-As Brown shoved Dukes, who should have gotten a free, Kurt McGlynn took posesion but was heavily taclked by Presti. Bonaddio who managed to get back near the ball pushed Presti off McGlynn. Presti just looked up at him as he got up and walked away.
-At the ball up, Presti picked up Dukes once again.
-Later on against Bonaddio, Presti got him under the ball and made a spoil. However, this would have been a mark if Murray Boyd hadnt crashed into Presti's back.
-1 on 1 against Dukes, the ball fell short, but Presti managed to get possesion and handpass to McKenzie.
-While being tackled, McKenzie got a short handpass to Toovey who got tackled hard. The ball spilt out where Presti got another possesion. Presti handballed towards Cox, but the ball was pushed over the line.
-Presti had a 50 metre penalty paid against him for holding onto Dukes. It was an absolutly riddiculos free. Presti looked stunned and questioned the Ump. What happened was Luke Cotchett from Port took a mark about 50 out and played on... and the ump just called 'Yeah its 50 actually'. On TV, you hear the ump say 'Its against you Presti'. At the time Presti was 1on1 againt Dukes. about 35 meters away from play. The hold wasnt even there... and i have no idea why it was a 50 metre penalty to Cotchett??
-Port kicked their second goal of the day as Cotchett kicked the goal from the goal square. Presti didnt even stand the mark.
This was the last incident involving Presti as he left the field at half time and did not return due to his foot injury/being rested.
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Being so close to the action, it was much easier to see and hear Presti and watch screening and defensive tactics whish you never see on TV.
Presti mastered pushing his opponents under ball during the game. (As usuall).
Also it was nice to see him take a good mark.
It was interesting seeing him rucking throw ins and ball ups in the defensive zone. It isnt unusuall to see him do it a few times a season, but it happend a few times in the match.
Presti didnt give an inch at all. He kept up with his opponents. And i was quite happy with his performance.
My Dad said he thought Presti was limping late in the half. I couldnt tell but after he left i found out about his annkle injury. Specuation is that he went into the game with a 'nagging foot injury'.
When i got home from the match, i watched the replay. I taped it for a friend who had to work. When i watched the replay i noticed the commentators confuse his name twice.
I would have loved to have seen Presti's reactions to Bux after game. But i couldnt get close enough. I did see him talking and laughing with other players after the game. Then my Dad got his autograph lol!
So i believe that Presti will be ok. But I dont think he will play for either Williamstown or Collingwood next week. Remembering that Willi play down in Tassie and Wakes will be fine to take on Hall.
Hopefully Presti will be back for Finals. Hopefully by round 22, where i have front row seats and its my birthday! lol What a time for a Presti goal!!
Goals Kicked Against: Zero. (Now way i'm counting that one from the 50).
Shocking decision.
