CTV> Assistant coach Brad Scott talks to the media at Gosch's Paddock
CTV> Heritier O'Brien at Adelaide airport
Prestigiacomo played his first senior game in more than a year as the Magpies slipped to the bottom-four side in the Subiaco Oval upset.
"The way he played last week, he was one of our better players against Fremantle," Scott said.
"He’s got the form and he’s put the runs on the board at VFL level the previous month and against Fremantle last week, so he was an obvious inclusion for us."
However, veteran Shane Wakelin missed selection for the second week running but has been named as an emergency for the AAMI Stadium clash.
Scott admitted that the decision to leave out Wakelin was a difficult one.
"There was a lot of debate at match committee about it and it’s a very tough decision to make because Wakes has been a terrific club man for us and he’s played some terrific footy this year," he said.
"It was a really tough call and we’ve got to take a horses for courses attitude and pick the best side that we believe gives us a chance on Saturday."
Despite Wakelin’s disappointment, Scott said the defender was in good spirits at training.
“He’s a terrific club man. As you saw at the training session (on Thursday), he trained with a lot of voice and a lot of enthusiasm. He’ll be with the team helping the young defenders but he’s obviously disappointed".
Scott insisted that it was not the end of the 34-year-old’s season and that he would be right in the mix if the Pies progress.
Talented forward Dale Thomas returns to the side from a calf injury and is named on the interchange bench. Scott said the coaching staff was pleased at how he’s trained this week.
“He’s moving really well. He’s looking sharp again today. We look forward to him making a big contribution for us.”
Scott says he was expecting Crow forward Jason Porplyzia to play against the Pies and admitted surprise at his exclusion.
“They’ve obviously made a pretty tough decision because it would have been easy in a way to play him because he’s been in such terrific form and is such a dangerous player… It’s a loss to Adelaide and we’d prefer he wasn’t there so it’s going to hopefully benefit us.”
As for Jason Porplyzia’s absence from the Crows’ side due to a shoulder injury, Scott admitted that he was surprised not to see his name on the team sheet.
“We expected him to play. He played last week under duress and that was pretty obvious for all to see. But they’ve obviously made a pretty tough decision because it would have been easy in a way to play him because he’s been in such terrific form and is such a dangerous player… It’s a loss to Adelaide and we’d prefer he wasn’t there so it’s going to hopefully benefit us.”
