Premiership Tiger "leaving door ajar" despite retirement announcement

Three-time Richmond premiership midfielder Dion Prestia has announced his exit from the Richmond Tigers... but he isn't done at AFL level just yet.

It was announced on Thursday afternoon that the 33-year-old had called time on his career with this Saturday’s clash with St Kilda his 254th AFL outing and final appearance in yellow and black.

However, as Prestia revealed on SEN, the veteran midfielder isn't giving up on his time at the top level.

“I don’t know if it’s completely a retirement,” Prestia told SEN’s The Run Home.

“I’m still leaving the door open a little bit. I’m feeling pretty good still, body wise and mentally.

“I’ve had some conversations with the club over the last two months and decided that it’s a good opportunity to finish up at the ‘G with my two very good mates, with Nathan Broad (retiring) and Tom Lynch playing his 250th.

“It should be a few very good days.”

Affectionately known as Meatball, Prestia joined the Tigers from Gold Coast in late 2016 and had an immediate impact, helping the club win the drought-breaking flag in 2017.

He was a key figure in the 2019 and 2020 premierships as well, winning the Jack Dyer Medal as best and fairest in 2019.

Prestia was drafted by Gold Coast with Pick 9 in 2010 and played 95 games for the Suns before his trade to the Tigers in exchange for Pick 6 (and other picks changing hands).

The Greenvale and Calder Cannons product produced some massive moments for the Tigers including two second-half goals in the 2019 Preliminary Final win over Geelong, and another pair (including the opener) in the triumphant decider against the Cats at the Gabba in 2020.

He also kicked a fourth-quarter goal that helped seal the 2017 premiership against Adelaide at the 'G.

Prestia after the opening goal in the 2020 Grand Final at the Gabba.

And as he today announced, his story might not be over.

“I made sure I didn’t put the r-word (retirement) into my announcement!” he said.

“I just feel that it’s always going to come to an end at some point, but I feel really good physically and mentally.

“I get the odd hammy and calf every now and then, but I’ve been doing that since I was about 15!

“I’m just trying to stay on the steady path, open to any kind of opportunity to go on.

“I know it’s a lot harder as a 33-year-old, 34 at the end of the year, but we will see how it all pans out.”