Player Watch #3: Dion Prestia - Charged By Police (Innocent Until Proven Guilty)

[Tiger V]

This has Noah Balta vibes all over it. Surely not.

he will be fine as long as the Vic premier doesn't stick her nose in the case

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

If he said he wasn't there, he wasn't there.

 

[Muddiemoose]

It’s almost been 12 months if there was damning footage it would already be out or at least we would be hearing whispers of people saying they have seen it (like the Balta footage) being commented on by a lot of people before it did the rounds on the media

 

[RJK Tiger]

****ing seriously - why did the club re-sign this bloke while this shit was still hanging over his head.

Some of the stupid shit we are doing regarding contracts is getting concerning. WTF would we re-sign Dion while he had a 12 month old case like this hanging over his head? Why not just wait till the last second to re-sign him? No other club was going to "steal him"


making some pretty stupid, amateur hour errors with our contracts. Samson Ryan, looking straight at you buddy

 

[Meteoric Rise]

****ing seriously - why did the club re-sign this bloke while this shit was still hanging over his head.

Some of the stupid shit we are doing regarding contracts is getting concerning. WTF would we re-sign Dion while he had a 12 month old case like this hanging over his head? Why not just wait till the last second to re-sign him? No other club was going to "steal him"


making some pretty stupid, amateur hour errors with our contracts. Samson Ryan, looking straight at you buddy

Errr, cos he is a midfielder with a wealth of leadership and experience with onfield coaching ability in a club looking to bring on young mids, and is on a 1 year deal, likely on minimal coin. And because he told the club he didn't do anything wrong.

On planet RJK Richmond should automatically disbelieve anything its players say. Sounds like a great blueprint for building a successful team....

 

[The Vaucluse]

This will have to be a distraction. We witnessed with Balta how these matters impact on a players form. Plus, Dion has a poor injury record over the last few years. I appreciate that he finished 2025 strongly. Although, I’d say he’s an offensive weapon, but his defensive running is questionable. You’d be a little bit disappointed if you were Dow. It’s not like for like, and Dion has been a champion of the club, but he’s got a bit on his plate and the ongoing soft tissue injuries is a worry.

 

[Yze does it]

This will have to be a distraction. We witnessed with Balta how these matters impact on a players form. Plus, Dion has a poor injury record over the last few years. I appreciate that he finished 2025 strongly. Although, I’d say he’s an offensive weapon, but his defensive running is questionable. You’d be a little bit disappointed if you were Dow. It’s not like for like, and Dion has been a champion of the club, but he’s got a bit on his plate and the ongoing soft tissue injuries is a worry.

Balta plead guilty and received a brutal club ban. then got a night curfew as part of the sentence.

Marlion Pickett plead not guilty and played OK that year. and after the charges laid. Charges mostly dropped?

Prestia told the club he is innocent played 2025 with the incident in mind. an average year by stats. 10 games, 23D. even if found guilty, if it is not jailed then he's free to play.

List wise Dow and Sonsie not offered contracts till the last day. Dow delisted. Sonz 1 year. Dow may be a DFA somewhere we'll see.
the club are making a 33 y.o. a cheap coach for the class of 2024/25.

 

[Tackle Bag]

Balta plead guilty and received a brutal club ban. then got a night curfew as part of the sentence.

Marlion Pickett plead not guilty and played OK that year. and after the charges laid. Charges mostly dropped?

Prestia told the club he is innocent played 2025 with the incident in mind. an average year by stats. 10 games, 23D. even if found guilty, if it is not jailed then he's free to play.

List wise Dow and Sonsie not offered contracts till the last day. Dow delisted. Sonz 1 year. Dow may be a DFA somewhere we'll see.
the club are making a 33 y.o. a cheap coach for the class of 2024/25.

Yeah not really. His playing contract would be far more than a first year assistant coach wage. We’d have soft cap space left as we don’t have any big name coaches. The spot on the playing list should be more important.


Also, Pickett was atrocious that year. Should have been dropped.

 

[RJK Tiger]

Errr, cos he is a midfielder with a wealth of leadership and experience with onfield coaching ability in a club looking to bring on young mids, and is on a 1 year deal, likely on minimal coin. And because he told the club he didn't do anything wrong.

On planet RJK Richmond should automatically disbelieve anything its players say. Sounds like a great blueprint for building a successful team....

So is Jack Steele. And Tom Mitchell. And they are not going into 2026 with a criminal charge to defend

Again, how many seasons do you want to head into with a player facing criminal charges? Dion was 33. Injury plagued. And completely out of contract. We could have cut him, signed Mitchell or traded for Steele & moved on without this bullshit hanging over the club, once again. I seriously would have preferred they kept Dow over Prestia, once you add this on top of it. What kind of lesson is that for the group? Dow from all reports does everything right on the track. Had shown some improvement last year before injury hit. Yet, the club chose to keep 33 year old Dion facing criminal assault charges Vs 24 year old Dow who has trained hard, cost less money & despit his 2025 injury, still far less injury prone than "ol man Dion".

In your world, you just believe the players over the Police.

The Reality?

Stack - Guilty

Sydney Stack pleads guilty to disorderly behaviour after nightclub scuffle

The former Tiger faced court this week.

www.zerohanger.com

Balta - Guilty

Tigers defender Balta pleads guilty to assault

The Richmond player faces sentencing on April 22 over the incident that left a man in hospital with a head injury

www.afl.com.au

Pickett - Guilty

Richmond premiership star pleads guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime

Marlion Pickett has admitted to charges relating to burglaries in the Perth area during his playing career.

www.theage.com.au

Prestia - ????




Which one of us is living in wonderland, sorry??? I don't just believe the players mate as statistically, they tend to be guilty of what they did.

Players are not worth believing. FFS, this is the same people who didn't want to take a chance on JUH - a elite KPF 22year old, former #1 pick - no criminal charges to face, but been open to battling major mental health issues. But, happy to go into 2026 with a 33 year old who DEFINITELY should know better by now facing criminal charges for assault. And for what? 1 season, at best, of veteran support?

Blokes facing criminal charges are NOT the type of blokes you hire to provide "veteran support"

 

[Tackle Bag]

Errr, cos he is a midfielder with a wealth of leadership and experience with onfield coaching ability in a club looking to bring on young mids, and is on a 1 year deal, likely on minimal coin. And because he told the club he didn't do anything wrong.

On planet RJK Richmond should automatically disbelieve anything its players say. Sounds like a great blueprint for building a successful team....

He should be off the list regardless of this incident. He simply isn’t capable of running at full pace and is a liability in the defensive aspects of the game. He ruins our midfield Balance. On the whole, We played better footy without him last season.

He has been a star but his time has come and it is increasingly looking like a mistake keeping him on the list with this incident now a part of the whole package.
In the likely event that he suffers a soft tissue injury early in the year it will look like an obvious list management mistake that could have been avoided.

 

[The Vaucluse]

Balta plead guilty and received a brutal club ban. then got a night curfew as part of the sentence.

Marlion Pickett plead not guilty and played OK that year. and after the charges laid. Charges mostly dropped?

Prestia told the club he is innocent played 2025 with the incident in mind. an average year by stats. 10 games, 23D. even if found guilty, if it is not jailed then he's free to play.

List wise Dow and Sonsie not offered contracts till the last day. Dow delisted. Sonz 1 year. Dow may be a DFA somewhere we'll see.
the club are making a 33 y.o. a cheap coach for the class of 2024/25.

If the matter proceeds to court, then he’ll need to defend himself which I would think represents a distraction.

Likewise, if the department of public prosecutions believes there is merit in the case, there’s a possibility he could face a custodial sentence, which is also a distraction.

There’s also the matter of the victim becoming a plaintiff and seeking damages through a civil proceeding, again potentially a distraction.

I agree, he’s innocent until proven otherwise, but the matter has progressed beyond just a headline and it will mean that Dion may need to defend himself in a court of law.

 

[RJK Tiger]

He should be off the list regardless of this incident. He simply isn’t capable of running at full pace and is a liability in the defensive aspects of the game. He ruins our midfield Balance. On the whole, We played better footy without him last season.

He has been a star but his time has come and it is increasingly looking like a mistake keeping him on the list with this incident now a part of the whole package.
In the likely event that he suffers a soft tissue injury early in the year it will look like an obvious list management mistake that could have been avoided.

100%. And he brings nothing new also. Club desperately needs more & new leadership to guide, teach this group.

The only reason I float Tom Mitchells name around is because we refused to even consider anyone else during the trade period & I can only look at the list of blokes still available to pick from. Mitchell is head and shoulders the best guy on that list to fill the role of "midfield depth, leadership & on-field coach". He has always been a professional. Is not known for having bad habits in training or off-field. He is a fine acquisition for the club if we need veterean support. He is a Top 50 all-time for Brownlow votes, never had a off-field incident in his life. In fact, he has never even had a on-field incident, never once being reported or suspended.

He sounds like a bloody great veteran for a young group if you ask me. I'd go as far to say that not a single supporter of another team would think Dion is a better suit for "veteran leadership" over Tom Mitchell. Except of course, the same ol richmond Bigfooty members who have golf clapped literally every bad decision we have made over the last 7 years.

Welcome to the era of sycophants

 

[RJK Tiger]

If the matter proceeds to court, then he’ll need to defend himself which I would think represents a distraction.

Likewise, if the department of public prosecutions believes there is merit in the case, there’s a possibility he could face a custodial sentence, which is also a distraction.

There’s also the matter of the victim becoming a plaintiff and seeking damages through a civil proceeding, again potentially a distraction.

I agree, he’s innocent until proven otherwise, but the matter has progressed beyond just a headline and it will mean that Dion may need to defend himself in a court of law.

Exactly. He can be innocent & I hope he is, but all things considered - his age, his health, his contract status, his form & his off-field situation - why the heck did the club re-sign him when there are other options readily available?

If the club were going to have to deal with courts and cops, i'd rather we had taken JUH as at least his upside is massive and possibly 10+ years of benefit.

 

[Yze does it]

If the matter proceeds to court, then he’ll need to defend himself which I would think represents a distraction.

Likewise, if the department of public prosecutions believes there is merit in the case, there’s a possibility he could face a custodial sentence, which is also a distraction.

There’s also the matter of the victim becoming a plaintiff and seeking damages through a civil proceeding, again potentially a distraction.

I agree, he’s innocent until proven otherwise, but the matter has progressed beyond just a headline and it will mean that Dion may need to defend himself in a court of law.

the law is slow moving ass. Pickett crime Dec 22, initial charge mid 23. amended charge May 25. Marlion plead guilty to that. no sentence yet.
almost 4 years after the crime....no sentence ?

Pickett got a couple of injuries in 24. retired. Moved to the NT won the B&F in Darwin

2023 he was being shoved full forward cos Meehan was getting Lynch on the field for 4 games.

Prestia will play 26 and retire anyhow

 

[RJK Tiger]

the law is slow moving ass. Pickett crime Dec 22, initial charge mid 23. amended charge May 25. Marlion plead guilty to that. no sentence yet.
almost 4 years after the crime....no sentence ?

Pickett got a couple of injuries in 24. retired. Moved to the NT won the B&F in Darwin

2023 he was being shoved full forward cos Meehan was getting Lynch on the field for 4 games.

Prestia will play 26 and retire anyhow

can't wait

 

[SplintWhisky]

Errr, cos he is a midfielder with a wealth of leadership and experience with onfield coaching ability in a club looking to bring on young mids, and is on a 1 year deal, likely on minimal coin. And because he told the club he didn't do anything wrong.

On planet RJK Richmond should automatically disbelieve anything its players say. Sounds like a great blueprint for building a successful team....

Knowing the story, he probably isnt as involved as May, but he was involved when it kicked off. Lynch had left early.

The one year contract by the club is fine. We need to hit salary minimums and it is only upside for us.

 

[RJK Tiger]

If the matter proceeds to court, then he’ll need to defend himself which I would think represents a distraction.

Likewise, if the department of public prosecutions believes there is merit in the case, there’s a possibility he could face a custodial sentence, which is also a distraction.

There’s also the matter of the victim becoming a plaintiff and seeking damages through a civil proceeding, again potentially a distraction.

I agree, he’s innocent until proven otherwise, but the matter has progressed beyond just a headline and it will mean that Dion may need to defend himself in a court of law.

All true, but even irrelevant to that - as a supporter of the club I'm just sick to death of this shit across the board. It's been a constant part of our club for well over 1/2 a decade now. And we can't even blame this shit on "young kids" - its been the senior, prmiership blokes causing all the shit. Pickett. Balta. Prestia. Lynch (onfield). The kids are not the ones getting themselves into problems

 

[Yze does it]

All true, but even irrelevant to that - as a supporter of the club I'm just sick to death of this shit across the board. It's been a constant part of our club for well over 1/2 a decade now. And we can't even blame this shit on "young kids" - its been the senior, prmiership blokes causing all the shit. Pickett. Balta. Prestia. Lynch (onfield). The kids are not the ones getting themselves into problems

piss that thug Dustin Martin off to GWS after the brutal chopsticks attack.

 

[RJK Tiger]

piss that thug Dustin Martin off to GWS after the brutal chopsticks attack.

33 year old Dion is not a 23 year old Dustin Martin. What a pointless comparison.

Might as well compare him to Ben Cousins - at least the ages fit.

 

[_RT_]

Not sure what happened in court yesterday, but Dion, and May, are next scheduled to appear on 22 January 2026 at Dromana Magistrates Court

 

[cairo tiger]

So is Jack Steele. And Tom Mitchell. And they are not going into 2026 with a criminal charge to defend

Again, how many seasons do you want to head into with a player facing criminal charges? Dion was 33. Injury plagued. And completely out of contract. We could have cut him, signed Mitchell or traded for Steele & moved on without this bullshit hanging over the club, once again. I seriously would have preferred they kept Dow over Prestia, once you add this on top of it. What kind of lesson is that for the group? Dow from all reports does everything right on the track. Had shown some improvement last year before injury hit. Yet, the club chose to keep 33 year old Dion facing criminal assault charges Vs 24 year old Dow who has trained hard, cost less money & despit his 2025 injury, still far less injury prone than "ol man Dion".

In your world, you just believe the players over the Police.

The Reality?

Stack - Guilty

Sydney Stack pleads guilty to disorderly behaviour after nightclub scuffle

The former Tiger faced court this week.

www.zerohanger.com

Balta - Guilty

Tigers defender Balta pleads guilty to assault

The Richmond player faces sentencing on April 22 over the incident that left a man in hospital with a head injury

www.afl.com.au

Pickett - Guilty

Richmond premiership star pleads guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime

Marlion Pickett has admitted to charges relating to burglaries in the Perth area during his playing career.

www.theage.com.au

Prestia - ????




Which one of us is living in wonderland, sorry??? I don't just believe the players mate as statistically, they tend to be guilty of what they did.

Players are not worth believing. FFS, this is the same people who didn't want to take a chance on JUH - a elite KPF 22year old, former #1 pick - no criminal charges to face, but been open to battling major mental health issues. But, happy to go into 2026 with a 33 year old who DEFINITELY should know better by now facing criminal charges for assault. And for what? 1 season, at best, of veteran support?

Blokes facing criminal charges are NOT the type of blokes you hire to provide "veteran support"

what ahppened to pickett was he sentenced??

 

[Truetiger]

what ahppened to pickett was he sentenced??

sentencing hearing in December I believe.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Not sure what happened in court yesterday, but Dion, and May, are next scheduled to appear on 22 January 2026 at Dromana Magistrates Court

Was chatting to someone very close to one of the charged parties last week. This is a summary of what they said:

• both very surprised to be charged
• neither were present or in the immediate vicinity when the bad injuries happened and neither were directly involved in anything physical
• there are some known shady characters in the other group
• attempts were made to extort payments from the players well after the night in question
• the players were naturally advised by lawyers not to engage

It is also observed neither of these people have ever been involved in attacking anyone before so would be completely out of character. And the two players have been consistent with their position.

 

[lizard man]

Was chatting to someone very close to one of the charged parties last week. This is a summary of what they said:

• both very surprised to be charged
• neither were present or in the immediate vicinity when the bad injuries happened and neither were directly involved in anything physical
• there are some known shady characters in the other group
• attempts were made to extort payments from the players well after the night in question
• the players were naturally advised by lawyers not to engage

It is also observed neither of these people have ever been involved in attacking anyone before so would be completely out of character. And the two players have been consistent with their position.

May hasn’t attacked anyone before?

 

[tiger_tough]

May hasn’t attacked anyone before?

Not in the last week or so at least.