No. 32 Brent Prismall

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http://www.gfc.com.au/portals/0/cats_images/2008%20Player%20Images/2008_BrentPrismall_med.jpg

Brent Prismall

Jumper No: 32
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 87 kg
DOB: 14 July 1986
Debut: Round 5, 2006
Recruited From: Western U18
Draft History: Selected by Geelong with 32nd pick in 2004 national draft

BIO
"Played the first five games of the season and kicked three goals against Melbourne in round three but couldn’t sustain that due to form and injury. The talented midfielder went back to the VFL after the Cats’ round five loss to the Kangaroos and, just as he was regaining his touch, broke his wrist. Recovered in time to play in the VFL finals and was an emergency in the Grand Final. Still young and good enough to be a force at this level." (GFC.com)

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It was Round 4 and Prismall still hadn't made a seniors appearance in 08, despite BOG performances in the VFL and a ripper pre-season. Discussion was at its peak, rumors were mounting and the disbelief that he was not selected was at an all time high. After what seemed like an eternity, Prismall finally got a game in the seniors during Round 5.


Prismall steps up




Author: Ben Broad 5:27 PM Tue 22 April, 2008 (gfc.com.au)

“IT’S FRUSTRATING, obviously, not being in the side when they’re going so well.” These are the words of Cat Brent Prismall, but they no doubt echo the thoughts of every senior-listed Geelong player currently battling to earn a spot in the club’s AFL side.

Speaking to gfc.com.au after playing his first senior match in a year, Prismall knows a thing or two about biding time. The 21-year-old was in sparkling form throughout the pre-season but was overlooked for the club’s season-opener against Port Adelaide. So it was back to the VFL – a place the gifted midfielder has come to know quite well in recent years – to again press for a recall.

He won a promotion through a sheer weight of possession, dominating the midfield as well as having the occasional run at either end. And Prismall admitted he was ecstatic to be back in the mix after working his backside off to win a spot in the reigning premier’s best side. “I went back to the VFL and definitely had things to work on,” he said. “I think I’ve worked on them, and I’ve still got a way to go in my game but it was good to be rewarded for some good form in the VFL. “The last thing I want to do now is to become comfortable and happy with my spot. I want to build and really cement a spot in the 22.”

Prismall, an emergency for Geelong in last year’s preliminary and Grand Finals, knows that his game must adapt if he is to become a regular fixture in the most talent-laden team in the land. Used to roaming free and gaining possession almost at will at VFL level, his rise to AFL ranks may require him to transform his game from midfield ball-winner to defender and sometimes forward. But he doesn’t have to look far for examples of teammates who have made that transition. “Blokes like Joel Corey … he can go back or go forward,” Prismall said. “Jimmy (Bartel) can go forward, Kel (James Kelly) has been fantastic the last few weeks playing as a forward, so those blokes have all got a second sort of position and I need to have that to get a game, and I’ve been working on that.”

Today’s high-rotation style of footy means a player will often find himself pitted against a range of different opponents. And that was the case for Prismall when he made his 2008 senior debut against the Swans last weekend, when the former Western Jet gathered 13 touches. While the prolific youngster might have expected to be running alongside the likes of Jarrad McVeigh and Amon Buchanan, he also spent time in attack where was marked by Luke Brennan and All-Australian defender Craig Bolton.

While he does hope to work his way into the Cats’ high-class midfield brigade, featuring the likes of Gary Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Cameron Ling, he knows he must keep adding strings to his bow to keep ahead of those other eager Cats determined to break into the Geelong side. “I’d love to be a part of that [midfield] rotation,” Prismall said. “Obviously those blokes can’t play on the ball the whole game and if I was to be part of that second-string or third-string midfield that’d be great. “Obviously the more strings you have on your bow, the more chance you have of playing. “I spent a little bit of time forward against the Swans and a bit of time back over the last couple of weeks in the VFL, so I just really want to develop in all those areas so I can be pretty flexible when it comes to playing.”

The powerfully-built ball magnet is just rapt to be given another chance at senior level. “Everyone is in this caper to play seniors, so if you’re not frustrated for not getting a game you’re probably kidding yourself,” he said. “Every bloke on the list that isn’t getting a game is frustrated, but I suppose it’s more how you deal with it that sets blokes apart.”