Richmond star Jack Riewoldt has offered a chilling view of the moments that followed Dion Prestia’s concussion as the game continued around the fallen Tiger for a few minutes.
The clash between Prestia and Geelong defender Tom Stewart took place with five and a half minutes to go until the end of the first season, but the game was allowed to continue even though Prestia remained powerless in the hands of the coaches of the band before it finally stopped after Geelong. Goalkeeper Tyson Stengle’s goal almost two minutes later.
Riewoldt said he and his teammates did not initially realize what had happened to Prestia, with the veteran striker disappointed that the game had not stopped before.
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“I was yelling at the referees, I think probably some of us said‘ stop the game ’because it was clearly knocked out,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
Jack Graham of Richmond is prepared to shoot a free kick with Prestia a few meters away in the hands of the coaches (AFL)
“I’m a little flat about the minute and a half of play after that; there were several times to stop the game. Blokes are kicking the ball over him and the doctors. I thought there might be has been managed much better.
“It’s the duty of diligence … you have three doctors looking at a player knocked out in the vicinity of the game in the protected area: it could have been almost 50 meters (penalty), he was in the protected area. Zone – and we continued playing this game .
“From a security standpoint, I didn’t like that very much.”
Riewoldt’s worries were echoed by Fox Footy’s comment team, who were baffled that the referees had allowed the game to continue while Prestia was being attended to by the band.
Prestia was in the hands of the coaches for a few minutes after being flattened by Stewart (Getty)
“Do you think they could stop the game? Sure they stop the game now, it’s extraordinary,” former Melbourne boss Garry Lyon said on the cover.
“They have their arm in the air, the coaches, who would indicate (the game should stop). Why wouldn’t they stop the game? One of these referees will surely take control.
“The only thing we’re worried about right now is Dion Prestia, but they’re one below, Richmond. As to where the game is, Richmond doctors should stop the game here so they can match. Well done. in Geelong, but this is a farce situation. “
Stewart revealed that he had received Riewoldt’s Prestia number before apologizing to the Tiger star for his success, and Riewoldt himself defended the character of the Cats star.
Stewart opens chat Prestia
“It’s not bad, I’ve had beers with him and I really like him, unfortunately he made a mistake and will comply with the consequences,” he said.
“He raises his hand, has turned blue and does what a good person does, he owns and moves on.”
Stewart was sent straight to court for his blow to Prestia and was hit with a four-match ban.
While Prestia suffered a concussion as a result of the play, luckily he was able to escape without any facial fractures.
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