Prestia OK as Tigers get picky

RICHMOND’S desire to upgrade its Tyrone Vickery compensation selection has delayed its trade for Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia.

But the deal looks set to be finalised next week with Gold Coast poised to secure the Tigers’ No.6 draft pick.

That would deliver Gold Coast a draft bounty with three top-10 selections and academy star Jack Bowes, who has been likened to Simon Black.

The Tigers netted No.27 for Vickery and want to rise higher into the second round given that selection looms as their first choice on draft night.

The Suns hold picks 22, 24 and 26.

Under the AFL’s new draft system, a swap of pick 27 for 22 would deliver the Tigers a bonus 142 points.

That trade would see Richmond secure Prestia and pick 22 for picks six and 27.

The Tigers believe the points gain would mean they have effectively paid closer to pick No.8 for Prestia, which they believe is fair.

But the Suns have so far held firm that Prestia should command pick six in a clean trade.

The onballer has long committed to the Tigers on a fiveyear contract and his camp was last night supremely confident he would land at Punt Rd.

The Suns had held out some hope that if trade talks broke down, Prestia could return to Metricon Stadium.

Suns’ football manager Marcus Ashcroft yesterday expected they would broker a trade.

“Dion’s a little bit less complicated (than Jaeger O’Meara),” Ashcroft said.

“We’re quite confident we’ll get a deal done with Richmond sooner rather than later, and that all centres around their pick six.”

Prestia, 24, landed a rich offer from the Tigers after playing 95 games in six seasons at Gold Coast.

He could still reunite with former teammate Josh Caddy, who the Tigers are targeting from Geelong in exchange for superstar Brett Deledio.