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**Simon 'Presti'** **Prestigiacomo**
	;
Personal information
Birth	31 January 1978 (age 31), Victoria
Recruited from	Research/Northern U18
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 11, 16 June 1996, Collingwood vs. West Coast Eagles, at Subiaco
Team(s)	Collingwood (1996-) 219 Games, 3 Goals
	¹ Statistics to end of Semi Final, 2009 season
Career highlights
	J.J. Joyce Trophy (2000) (3rd Collingwood best and fairest); 200 AFL Games;

Simon 'Presti' Prestigiacomo (born 31 January 1978) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

'Presti' was picked up as a first-round draft pick in the 1995 AFL Draft by Collingwood as a tall youngster who was capable as a strong forward who could play in the midfield. But the Magpies developed him into a key defender as his form was good enough for him to play the final 12 games in his debut year of '96.

In 1997 his career was threatened to be almost over after contracting glandular fever throughout the season. He only managed 6 matches. Presti also struggled during the 1998 season with shoulder injuries, playing 10 games and kicking two goals for the year. However, it was during this season where then Collingwood Assistant Coach Danny Frawley would give Prestigiacomo defensive roles during Collingwood reserves games.

Wearing the number 35, made famous by Collingwood legend Peter Daicos, Presti would seemingly have big shoes to fill.

In 1999 he made a breakthrough in his career. He was solid enough as the Pies Full Back and proved a needed player. Collingwood had a season to forget, finishing last and receiving the 1999 Wooden Spoon. But Prestigiacomo was starting to have an impact on games.

In his 2000 season he played his 50th AFL game against the Adelaide Crows in round 2. Presti performed well enough to earn equal third in the Magpies 2000 best and fairest, finishing behind winner Nathan Buckley and Tarkyn Lockyer. Presti had truly cemented his place in the Collingwood team as he started to scalp some of the AFL's elite forwards.

Between seasons 1999-2002, Presti would miss only 5 games and played in the other 86 Collingwood matches. In round 10 2002, Presti played his 100th AFL game against the Sydney Swans in a night to remember. Presti would keep the flamboyant Barry Hall goalless while also getting game time on Tony Lockett in his famous comeback season.

To the disappointment of some, Prestigiacomo was not included in the 2002 All-Australian team. The selection panel instead opted for Docker Matthew Pavlich in the full-back position. 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.

Presti was a key performer in the Collingwood season of 2002 when they made the Grand Final. He played every game except one and was very heavily relied on. His defence was his asset, unlike modern days footballers where athletic ability and spring is more relied upon. On Grand Final day, he was one of the side's best, keeping Lion star Jonathan Brown quiet.

In 2003 he injured his knee late in the season, but returned for the final series and once again played in the Grand Final team, and was again one of the team's best performers on a dismal day.

In 2004 when Collingwood struggled after being successive runners-up in the competition, Presti had an injury riddled season, managing only 12 games for the year. But he soon got back on the track and ended up playing 20 games in 2005, including game number 150 in round 11, an upset win against Geelong.

2006 saw Presti back to his best. Collingwood made the finals as Presti played 19 games for the year. Highlighted by stellar performances against Warren Tredrea, Matthew Lloyd and Brendan Fevola.

2007 started beautifully for Prestigiacomo, playing in the first 10 games before getting injuries which would see him play only 5 more games for the year and miss the 2007 finals series in which Collingwood missed the Grand Final by under a goal.

2008 was a frustrating year for Prestigiacomo. After turning 30, many had written him off as he was stuck on 193 games as injuries were keeping him out of a much younger Collingwood team. Presti would manage to finally get back in the team in the last round of the year. A clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. The following week, Collingwood were again playing in an Elimination Final. This time over in Adelaide against the Crows in what turned out to be one of the most memorable games for Prestigiacomo.

Presti would get injured again, but played the game out until the end. Presti wrote his name in Collingwood lore as the star defender played out the game without being able to lift his right arm. Presti well and truly defeated his opponents and critics as Collingwood won by 5 goals.

Unfortunately for Prestigiacomo and Collingwood, Presti would be forced to miss the next final against St Kilda. Collingwood were blown out the water as Presti's frustrating season came to a close.

Many believed that the retirement of fellow Magpie defender Shane Wakelin at the end of season 2008 gave Prestigiacomo the chance to concrete his spot in the team once again. Wakelin had been kept on the list in 2008 as a back-up for Presti. Wakelin knew he would be playing limited time in 2008, but due to the severity of Presti's injuries, Wakelin played 20 games being named in Collingwood's best several times. Many thought it was unfair for Wakelin to make way for Presti in round 22 and the Elimination Final.

In 2009, Prestigiacomo played every game, including his 200th on ANZAC DAY. So far Presti's highlights of season 2009 include the shutdown of; Jonathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd, Josh Kennedy, Brendan Fevola and Warren Tredrea.

Prestigiacomo was named in the 2009 All-Australian squad of 40 from which a final team of 22 are selected. He however did not make the final 22, despite playing every game and having the least amount of goals conceded in 2009.

Matthew Richardson and Jonathan Brown are both quoted saying that Prestigiacomo is one of the hardest players they have ever had to play against.^[1]

[edit] References

^ Jonathan Brown faces toughest rival Simon Prestigiacomo

[edit] External links

Simon Prestigiacomo profile on the Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
Simon Prestigiacomo's statistics from AFL Tables

[0] Jonathan Brown faces toughest rival Simon Prestigiacomo

[1]