Essendon, in giving up pick no.39 in next month’s national draft, snared the talented midfielder from Geelong on the final day of AFL trade week.
The 22-year-old will boost Essendon’s blossoming midfield stocks and Knights, who is overseeing his club’s resurgence with an emphasis on youth, believes Prismall can play a major role as the Bombers again try to fly up.
“It’s fantastic, we’re really rapt to have young Brent joining our football club,” Knights said.
“He’s 22 years of age, he really fits our demographic [with] where we’re heading as a footy club, and in speaking to him he’s got aspirations in leadership which really impressed us.
“Obviously he’s got a knee injury but we’re willing to be patient with that and work through that injury with him. We’ve taken more a long-term prospective on bringing him to our club.
“I think it’s a great result and a fair and equitable result.”
Knights spoke to his new recruit immediately after the Bombers finalised the deal and congratulated Prismall on joining the Dons.
During his conversation he told the former Western Jets junior there would be no rush for him to regain full fitness, instead insisting he ensure his knee would be ready to take the rigours of senior football before he again takes the field.
“All I’ve said to Brent … [is] ‘we’ll work with you closely and just be very patient’ because it’s all about his well-being,” Knights said.
“If he’s ready round four, great. If he’s ready round six, great [and] if he’s not ready till round 12 well, so be it.
“It’ll be all about what’s best for Brent Prismall.”
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Follow all the ins and outs of the 2008 AFL exchange period at afl.com.au/trade. Full details of every trade by every club, plus news, quotes and the very latest via our twitter feed.
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