Simon Prestigiacomo
Encyclopedia
Simon 'Presti' Prestigiacomo (born 31 January 1978) is a retired Australian rules football
er who played for the Collingwood Football Club
in the Australian Football League
.
. He was given guernsey number 35, made famous by Collingwood legend Peter Daicos
.
He made his debut against the West Coast Eagles
in Round 11, 1996. His form was good enough for him to play the final twelve games in his debut year.
In 1997 his career was threatened to be almost over after contracting glandular fever throughout the season. He only managed six matches. He also struggled during the 1998 season with shoulder injuries, playing ten games and kicking two goals for the year. However, it was during this season when then-Collingwood assistant coach Danny Frawley
would give Prestigiacomo defensive roles during Collingwood reserves games.
, finishing behind winner Nathan Buckley
and Tarkyn Lockyer
. Between seasons 1999–2002, Prestigiacomo played in 86 matches for Collingwood, missing only five.
Prestigiacomo was a key performer in the Collingwood season of 2002, when the club reached the Grand Final. He played every game except one and was very heavily relied on as a stopping defender, and less-so as a rebounding defender, and played in Collingwood's Grand Final
loss against Brisbane. He was controversially not included in the 2002 All-Australian team, despite very strong performances. The selection panel selected Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich
in the full-back position, which was a surprise to some as Pavlich was better known as a forward rather than a defender. At the presentation night, panel selector Gerard Healy
expressed his disappointment and stated that Prestigiacomo was very unlucky not to be in the side. In 2003 he injured his knee late in the season, but returned for the final series and once again played in the Magpies' losing Grand Final
team.
with injury. In 2008, at age 30, injuries and form kept him out of the team for almost the entire season, but he returned late in the season for two matches, including an elimination final win, but an arm injury kept him out of the semi-final.
In 2009, Prestigiacomo had arguably the best season of his career, in which he played every game, including his 200th on Anzac Day
. He was named in the 40-man squad for the 2009 All-Australian team
, but was not selected in the final team.
Prestigiacomo managed to play only 13 games in 2010. He missed the finals with injury, and although he had recovered enough to come into consideration for selection in the drawn Grand Final
, he considered that he had not recovered enough and voluntarily ruled himself out of contention, a decision for which he was widely praised by fans and commentators.
In 2011, Prestigiacomo played for West Preston Lakeside
in the Northern Football League, alongside former Collingwood teammate, Anthony Rocca
. He also played a once-off match for Bungaree in the Central Highlands Football League
on Saturday May 21 against former teammate Shane O'Bree.
Matthew Richardson
and Jonathan Brown are both quoted saying that Prestigiacomo is one of the hardest players they have ever had to play against.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early career: forward line
As a tall youngster that was capable as a strong forward that could also play in the midfield, Prestigiacomo was drafted from Research Junior Football Club at pick 10 in the 1995 AFL Draft1995 AFL Draft
The 1995 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1995 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football clubs that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
. He was given guernsey number 35, made famous by Collingwood legend Peter Daicos
Peter Daicos
Peter Daicos is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played his entire 250 game career with the Collingwood Football Club in the VFL/AFL....
.
He made his debut against the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
in Round 11, 1996. His form was good enough for him to play the final twelve games in his debut year.
In 1997 his career was threatened to be almost over after contracting glandular fever throughout the season. He only managed six matches. He also struggled during the 1998 season with shoulder injuries, playing ten games and kicking two goals for the year. However, it was during this season when then-Collingwood assistant coach Danny Frawley
Danny Frawley
Danny Frawley is a former Australian rules footballer and coach and a current football commentator with Fox Sports.He is the nephew of Collingwood player Des Tuddenham and the uncle of current Melbourne Football Club player James Frawley.- Football career :Recruited from Ballarat, after attending...
would give Prestigiacomo defensive roles during Collingwood reserves games.
Mid career: back line
In 1999, Prestigiacomo made a breakthrough in his career, as his solid work in defence proved himself to be a required player. In Round 2, 2000 he played his 50th AFL game. He performed well enough to finish equal third in the 2000 best and fairestCopeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
, finishing behind winner Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
and Tarkyn Lockyer
Tarkyn Lockyer
Tarkyn Lockyer is a former professional Australian rules football player who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Early life :...
. Between seasons 1999–2002, Prestigiacomo played in 86 matches for Collingwood, missing only five.
Prestigiacomo was a key performer in the Collingwood season of 2002, when the club reached the Grand Final. He played every game except one and was very heavily relied on as a stopping defender, and less-so as a rebounding defender, and played in Collingwood's Grand Final
2002 AFL Grand Final
The 2002 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 2002. It was the 106th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
loss against Brisbane. He was controversially not included in the 2002 All-Australian team, despite very strong performances. The selection panel selected Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
in the full-back position, which was a surprise to some as Pavlich was better known as a forward rather than a defender. At the presentation night, panel selector Gerard Healy
Gerard Healy
Gerard Healy is a former Australian rules footballer and commentator.Healy attended St Bede's College in Mentone, where he was the Senior Football Captain.-Melbourne Demons:...
expressed his disappointment and stated that Prestigiacomo was very unlucky not to be in the side. In 2003 he injured his knee late in the season, but returned for the final series and once again played in the Magpies' losing Grand Final
2003 AFL Grand Final
The 2003 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 2003...
team.
Late career
Prestigiacomo struggled with injury in 2004, but returned to full fitness in 2005, playing twenty matches that season, including his 150th. He returned to his best form in 2006 and 2007, but missed the 2007 finals2007 AFL finals series
- The finals system :The system is a final eight system. This system is different to the McIntyre Final Eight System, which was previously used by the AFL, and is currently used by the National Rugby League....
with injury. In 2008, at age 30, injuries and form kept him out of the team for almost the entire season, but he returned late in the season for two matches, including an elimination final win, but an arm injury kept him out of the semi-final.
In 2009, Prestigiacomo had arguably the best season of his career, in which he played every game, including his 200th on Anzac Day
The ANZAC Day clash
The Anzac Day clash is an annual Australian rules football match between Australian Football League teams Collingwood and Essendon, held on Anzac Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground .-Early history of Australian rules on Anzac Day:...
. He was named in the 40-man squad for the 2009 All-Australian team
2009 All-Australian team
The 2009 All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League players during the 2009 AFL season. It was announced on 14 September 2009, as a complete Australian rules football team of 22 players and a coach. An initial squad of 40 players was previously announced on 1...
, but was not selected in the final team.
Prestigiacomo managed to play only 13 games in 2010. He missed the finals with injury, and although he had recovered enough to come into consideration for selection in the drawn Grand Final
2010 AFL Grand Final
The 2010 AFL Grand Final is either of two Australian rules football contests between the Collingwood Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club. Together they are considered the 114th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League, and were staged to determine the...
, he considered that he had not recovered enough and voluntarily ruled himself out of contention, a decision for which he was widely praised by fans and commentators.
Post-AFL
On November 10, 2010, Simon Prestigiacomo announced his retirement from the AFL after 233 games with Collingwood. Collingwood honoured Prestigiacomo, by having him unveil the 2010 Premiership Flag at the MCG in Round 3, 2011.In 2011, Prestigiacomo played for West Preston Lakeside
West Preston Lakeside Football Club
West Preston Lakeside Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Reservoir, Victoria, currently competing in the Northern Football League.The West Preston F.C. was formed in 1948 in the CYMS competition...
in the Northern Football League, alongside former Collingwood teammate, Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca is a former Australian rules footballer who has played with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the Australian Football League...
. He also played a once-off match for Bungaree in the Central Highlands Football League
Central Highlands Football League
The Central Highlands Football League is an Australian Rules Football League in the Ballarat region. The league coordinates Senior, Reserve, Under 18 and Under 15 grades.-History:...
on Saturday May 21 against former teammate Shane O'Bree.
Matthew Richardson
Matthew Richardson (Australian rules footballer)
Matthew "Richo" Richardson , is a retired professional Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Australian Football League...
and Jonathan Brown are both quoted saying that Prestigiacomo is one of the hardest players they have ever had to play against.