Collingwoodfc.com.au has published 35 comments from teammates, coaches, staff, opponents, journalists and supporters on recently retired Magpie legend Simon Prestigiacomo. ? ??
Teammates?
1. Leigh Brown: Presti was my weights partner so I will miss him in the gym. He is not as quiet as everyone thinks he is. He thinks he is pretty funny and is one of those practical jokers who does his best behind the scenes. He puts in a ton of groundwork and no one ever knows who it is.
2. Ben Johnson: I will miss running into his wife.??
3. Paul Licuria: My greatest memories of Presti are his conversation skills. ??
4. Tarkyn Lockyer: His good sense of humor. I will miss our exchanges during post-season celebrations.??
5. Scott Pendlebury: I will miss his sense of humor. He doesn’t say a great deal but when he does, it is pretty funny.??
6. Anthony Rocca : Dependable. I was lucky to never play against him.??
7. Heath Shaw: He is my number one person I like to annoy so whoever takes over number 35 is going to cop it.???
8. Nick Maxwell: His contribution to the football club has been as big as anyone's in the history of the club.
Click here to send your messages of thanks to Prestigiacomo for his contribution to the club.
Coaches?
9. Mick Malthouse - senior coach: Simon not only held up the backline, but he was such a magnificent contributor to the success of the side in returning to a position of competitiveness over the course of his career.??
10. Mark Neeld - assistant coach: Quiet??
11. Gerard Sholly - Prestigiacomo’s manager: I was the recruiting manager at the club and I drafted him in 1995. We thought he would be a 200-game player. Either as a forward or a backman.???
12. Tony Shaw - first senior coach: A fantastic servant who has done everything the right way.
Staff?
13. Eddie McGuire - president: He leaves the club as one of the most treasured players in the history of this club since 1892.??
14. Neil Price - boot studder: What you see with Presti is what you get.??
15. Tracey O’Connor - executive assistant: He was a gentleman. ??
16. Misty Warren - community liaison: He never complained about signing sessions.??
17. Nick Hulett - media manager: The media was never one of Simon’s favourite parts of being a footballer, but much like he was on the field, he was willing to do his bit for the team. He was actually a better media performer than many gave him credit for.??
18. David Buttifant - sports science director: He was one of the most selfless athletes I have worked with. Always giving and never complained.??
19. Wayne Connor - football facilities manager: If he forgot something at home when he got to training he would fall back with shock because he was always reliable and prepared with his gear.??
20. Kate Orpen - Collingwood superstore manager: He was never the most popular player sought after but he had a strong following. When people came into the store to buy a Presti badge, you could tell they were excited.??
Click here to view a photo gallery of Prestigiacomo's career.?
Opponents?
21. Brendan Fevola: I have played on Simon a lot over my career and he has kept me goalless a few times. He’s a great backman - probably one of the hardest opponents out there, if not the hardest.
22. Matthew Lloyd: I've got the utmost respect for Simon. A lot of people say how quiet he was on the field. He played the game really fairly and was an unbelievable competitor.”???
Journalists??
23. Michael Gleeson - The Age: Clearly his press conferences and his lengthy answers. I love that in a game, which is about carrying on and over celebrations, Presti was all about doing a job.
24. Glenn McFarlane - Herald Sun: Rarely ever beaten. Carried on the tradition of great Collingwood fullbacks.
???Family ??
25. Belinda Prestigiacomo - wife: The pride I felt when I saw him out on the field. The kids loved watching him play.?
Supporters?
26. Con Frantzeskos: His incredible act of selflessness in the 2010 GF should never be forgotten. He may not be a Premiership Player, but he will forever be known as a Premiership Hero. Presti - We thank you & salute you (posted on Facebook).?
27. Optimax: Thanks for everything Simon, will always be remembered and revered as a collingwood legend. I'll miss yelling Presssssssssstttttttiiiiii!!!! (posted on bigfooty.com.au).??
28. die4pies: One of our all time great defenders in the true Collingwood mould. Selfless, humble and dignified (posted on Nick’s Bulletin Board).??
29. Brodiesies Tops: He gave his all for the jumper and more. One of the nicest people I have ever met. Genuine humble and dignified. I will never forget his speech at the AGM, right from the heart (posted on Nick’s Bulletin Board).
30. Robert Ferguson: The Glove,all respect to a great clubman and underestimated player (posted on facebook).
31. Angela Norton: Congratulations Presti on a fabulous career. You were always the dependable dark horse, team player and gentleman (posted on facebook).
32. LukeMason38: "In honor of #Presti, today I'm not going to say anything to anyone at all,and just get on with my job quietly" #Prestifacts @Collingwood_FC (posted on Twitter).??
33. Harley Jay Phillips Thank you for being a solid contributor week in and week out Presti! (posted on Facebook).
34. Augusto Leonardi grazie! sei un gentiluomo! and a great defender! (posted on Facebook).??
35. Rebecca Kate Sikach A true champion, I will struggle to watch a game now this year. I only watched for you! (posted on Facebook).
