Hardwick Jokingly We Hope Talks of Avoiding Dion Prestia

Hardwick Jokingly We Hope Talks of Avoiding Dion Prestia

Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick has to sneak around Punt Road in order to steer clear of midfielder Dion Prestia.

“Dimma” snubbed his star for the State of Origin bushfire relief match.

Richmond and GWS both contributed nine players, but Richmond’s 2019 best and fairest did not pass muster.

A cynical perspective might be that Hardwick did not want to risk Prestia, but that perspective falls apart in light of the nine players from the Tigers that will take part in the February 28 game at Marvel Stadium.

“I avoided Dion like you wouldn’t believe this week,” Hardwick told 3AW. “It’s so hard. It was amazing when you sit there and try to piece together a side. The quality of the players we’ve got in this league is staggering.”

How Hardwick managed to avoid Prestia is hard to imagine and Dustin Martin, who was selected, might be running cover for Hardwick.

Just as with State of Origin league rugby, AFL teammates will face off.

Giants’ captain Stephen Coniglio will see Jeremy Cameron, Nick Haynes, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Toby Green representing Victoria.

The two squads will have short preparation, only coming together once, the day before the match.

It will therefore not be a game heavy on tactics, but the game has more on the line.

“We’re all mindful that the reason we are there is to support the bushfire appeal, so that’s the critical cause,” All Stars coach John Longmire told AAP.

An ongoing State of Origin in the AFL might offer some interesting permutations.

We would welcome Queensland, if they can supply a respectable side, but a series with the stars from WA, NSW, VIC and SA has an undeniable appeal for those of us who wander aimlessly after the AFL Grand Final is played.

TAG: Not everyone is happy about the selections for the AFL State of Origin bushfire relief game.