The well-known and highly commendable Richmond Premiership duo Dion Prestia and Noah Balta have both been tested for Covid-19 and the results came back ‘positive’.
The Tigers confirmed the news on social media on Saturday night. However, they did ensure to tell the fans that a positive COVID test will not affect the start of pre-season training for junior players next week.
Club Announcement
“Dion Prestia and Noah Balta have tested positive to Covid and are in isolation,” the club said.
“Close contacts have been tested as appropriate.
“It will not interrupt the commencement of pre-season training for 1-4 year players next Monday.”
Prestia has played in all three of Richmond’s most recent premiership awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020, while Balta played in the 2020 Grand Final.
Other Positive Cases In AFL
They are not expected to return to the club for pre-season training until December 6, but Prestia has been at the club in recent weeks, according to Channel 7 AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.
Adding to this is a number of positive cases that include young player of Hawthorn Finn Maginness and unnamed AFLW players from Richmond, Carlton and Western Bulldogs.
Earlier this week, Essendon reaffirmed that club chief executive Xavier Campbell was also tested for Covid.
The club has confirmed that the fully vaccinated Campbell has not been at headquarters since last Wednesday and has not been in direct contact with the club’s football program.
Campbell confirmed he had mild symptoms on Monday afternoon and was tested, and his family has since separated as they await the results.
“I experienced very mild symptoms on Monday afternoon and out of caution, got tested which has since returned a positive result. My family and I are now isolating as we await all results,” Campbell said via a club statement.
