Simon Prestigiacomo in the rooms after the win

Collingwood’s Simon Prestigiacomo highlighted his side’s ability to spread Essendon to the boundary as a key part to the 98-point win on Friday night.??

The veteran told CTV in the rooms after the win that the team spoke at length leading up to the game about the need to stifle the Bombers’ attack through the midfield.??

“It was a good result over an arch enemy on Friday night,” Prestigiacomo told CTV.??

“They are a good running side so we tried to nullify their run through the midfield zone and push them out wider so it takes them a little longer to move the ball forward.”??

Submit your 3, 2, 1 votes in the 98-point win

The second best tackling team in the competition, the Magpies were at it again laying 29 more tackles than their opponent.  Prestigiacomo believes his side’s pressure around the footy is extremely effective due to its spread across all areas of the ground.??

“As defenders its critical for us to get up the field and put a bit of pressure on our opponents while relying on our midfielders and forwards to back us up with pressure.? ?

“They jumped us a little bit in the first five or ten minutes but then we got momentum going our way and we managed to structure up how we wanted to play and kick a good winning score.”

The 32-year-old is the oldest Magpie on the list and is playing some of his best footy of his career.  Now in his 15th season, Prestigiaomo registered a season-high 11 disposals  and held his opponent, Kyle Hardingham, to just five possessions.??

Mick Malthouse fronts the media

“I am well and truly in the vintage part of my career and the body is holding up which is good.??

“It’s exciting to be in a side which is preparing for another finals campaign.”

Watch the team sing the song