CTV> Simon Prestigiacomo speaks to CTV about his recovery from injury and the season ahead

At 31 years of age most players find it hard to change their playing style but Collingwood’s Simon Prestigiacomo understands that it has to be done in order to play in the modern game

"With different techniques and tactics you just have to try and adjust as the game changes,” Presitigiacomo told CTV after the team’s training session at Rosebud Olympic Park on Tuesday.

"It’s just a part of football nowadays."

Collingwood’s new-look defence places a heavier emphasis on pressuring the opposition.

Prestigiacomo collected nine possessions in last Saturday’s win against West Coast with many of them occurring on the wing.

“I was probably a bit lost up ther but after a really solid preseason, I have been able to complete nearly all of the training and now I feel comfortable with how we are playing.

“It helps if you are already up there to try and get a few kicks.”

After successfully making a comeback from a foot injury in round 22, Prestigiacomo injured his shoulder against Adelaide in the Elimination Final and missed the rest of the finals campaign. 

When the team headed to Flagstaff, Arizona late last year for a preseason high-altitude training camp, Prestigiacomo remained in Melbourne to work on strengthening his shoulder.

“In prior years I haven’t really done one (preseason).

"The season before I didn’t really train until June so that’s not much of a preseason at all but this year I have managed to do pretty much all of the training.”

Collingwood’s defence has lost a wealth of experience in the last few years with the retirement of James Clement and Shane Wakelin but Prestigiacomo believes if the group can stay injury free, it will enjoy a successful 2009 campaign.

“Clement and Wakes were pretty much there for the whole year.  Hopefully we can get a core group of seven or eight guys that can play the whole year in defence.

"We definitely know each other's weaknesses and strengths.  It helps out when you can get everyone playing most of the games together.”

Even after playing 195 AFL games, Prestigiacomo admitted to feeling pre-game jitters before last weekend’s match.

 “I was pretty nervous coming into the first game whether it is the NAB Cup or round one.  Hopefully you still have the goods and can compete at that level.”