Brent Prismall Biography

Banned former player Brent Prismall feels he was the victim of massive deception in the Essendon anti-doping saga.

Prismall has taken aim at sports scientist Stephen Dank, high performance manager Dean Robinson and coach James Hird – all key figures in the saga – and the club itself.

The former Geelong and Essendon player, now retired, spoke in a wide-ranging ABC radio interview.

"It certainly feels like we were guinea pigs in all this," Prismall said.

Prismall was asked who he blamed for his predicament.

"Stephen Dank is clearly one – for me, he administered all my injections. I see him responsible for the program," he said.

Prismall also said the Essendon coach at the time, James Hird, should accept some level of responsibility for the repercussions that transpired.

"The coach at a football club knows everything," Prismall said.

"Ultimately he would make the decision as to whether the program would or would not run."

Brent Prismall will no longer work at the Western Bulldogs after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority demanded the banned ex-Bomber end his employment with the club.

After discussions with ASADA on Wednesday, the AFL advised the Bulldogs that Prismall must stand down from his role as the club's player welfare manager while he was serving his ban for anti-doping offences.

The League said in a statement that it was "pleased that the position of Brent Prismall’s employment has been resolved" after further discussions with ASADA.

"The AFL has forwarded advice to the Western Bulldogs FC this afternoon that Brent should stand down from his current role at the Western Bulldogs," the statement continued.

"At all times the Western Bulldogs have complied with directions and advice from the AFL.

"The AFL will continue to discuss with ASADA issues surrounding the players’ sanctions and their activities."

Essendon's worst fears have been realised with the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding 34 past and present players guilty of taking banned substance Thymosin Beta-4 and suspending them for the entire 2016 season.

Twelve players still on the Bombers' list and five now at other AFL clubs who took part in Essendon's 2012 supplements program have been hit with two-year bans beginning on March 31 last year.

However, most of the suspensions will come to an end on November 13 this year, taking into account provisional suspensions already served.

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, reigning club champion Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, Michael Hibberd, Ben Howlett, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Tayte Pears will all miss the Bombers' 2016 campaign.

The guilty decision impacts four other AFL clubs with former Essendon players on their lists, with Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Angus Monfries and Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide) to be sidelined for the season.

Former Essendon players Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall are set to be suspended from their respective roles at Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs until November 13 as support staff are banned from any WADA-complaint sports under the sanctions.

McVeigh is an assistant coach at the Giants, while Prismall is a player wellbeing and welfare manager with the Bulldogs.

Essendon champion and former club coach James Hird slammed the guilty verdict and suspensions.

"I am shocked by this decision," Hird said in a statement.

"I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding.

"They do not deserve to face a twelve-month suspension from the sport. This is a miscarriage of justice for 34 young men."

Brent Prismall says he hasn't given up on reviving his AFL career.

"I'm not going to hang my hat on getting drafted next year," Prismall said.

"[My career] obviously finished a little bit earlier than what I would have liked, but I certainly don't shut the door.

"I'm not ruling it (pursuing another chance) out, but at the same time I'll see what happens. If there was something that opened up, like most other blokes who've gone out of the system, I'd certainly look at it."

Brent Prismall will use Western Bulldogs' VFL affiliate, the Williamstown Seagulls, as a platform to try to relaunch his AFL career.

"He still sees himself as someone who can get picked up in the future, so it was important for him to come into a good environment," Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon said.

"He's going to be a very good player at VFL level and who knows, in 12 months you'd like to think the door is still open for him, especially with more mature-age players getting picked up."

Brent Prismall has been named as the Bulldogs' player wellbeing manager.

"Brent is a very capable young man and will be instrumental in working with our playing list and, in particular, our younger playing group," Bulldogs football operations manager James Fantasia said.

"We believe we've brought another quality person into our organisation and look forward to seeing Brent flourish in his new role."

Brent Prismall is overlooked in the pre-season and rookie drafts but the Western Bulldogs have encouraged him to apply for a position at the club as player welfare manager.

"Once the details are finalised we will be conducting a process to canvass the best person for the role," Bulldogs football operations manager James Fantasia said.

"We would absolutely encourage Brent to be a part of this process given he has shown himself to be an individual of great character and strength."

Brent Prismall could join Port Adelaide in the pre-season draft, after the Power invited him to train with them.

Essendon has delisted Brent Prismall, Ricky Dyson and Ariel Steinberg, with the untried Steinberg guaranteed a rookie spot.

Brent Prismall returns this weekend as Essendon adds another player to its long-term injury list.

"It has been a long time and he's had a tough rehabilitation period. It's just really pleasing to have him back," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"He'll have to get some match fitness and form, but then it will be up to him. We'd be hoping he's going to put some performances together and push up for a spot."



Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall is suffering complications in his return from injury.

"It's not a major setback, but he is getting irritation with his hamstring and it is causing him some concerns," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He would love to be back putting his hand up very soon, but he's been noticing it over the past six weeks."

Brent Prismall will take a more cautious approach to his recovery from a second knee reconstruction.

"After you do an injury you just want to get back out there and train and to get back out there as quick as you can," Prismall said.

"Last time it worked for me, but this time if there is a bit of soreness or anything like that I am probably going to be a little bit more hesitant to put myself out there."

Essendon coach James Hird says the club will offer Brent Prismall a new contract despite the luckless midfielder going down with another season-ending knee injury.

"We're pretty sure he'll be here next year," Hird said.

"This is a vote of confidence. He's a very good player. There's a lot of football left in Brent Prismall and he should be back by May next year, so it's not the worst thing."

Brent Prismall hopes to benefit from a successful pre-season leading into 2010.

"Pre-season this year compared to last year is completely different," Prismall said.

"I came into the club and just did swimming by myself. But this year it's been great and you can't undervalue what a full pre-season does for you.

"Just to be out training with the boys every day is great. So hopefully I reap the rewards from that this year."

Brent Prismall says he wasn't too worried with he hit the post with a set shot with 35 seconds left against St Kilda that would have sealed victory for his side.

Nick Riewoldt later marked for a set shot after the siren that would miss, giving the Bombers a thrilling victory against the Saints who had been unbeaten until then.

"I missed the goal, I wasn't worried then I remember Riewoldt marking about one metre away from me and I thought: 'oh no'," Prismall said.

"Lucky enough he missed and the rest is history."

Former Cat Brent Prismall is finally ready to make his debut for Essendon after having a full knee reconstruction.

"It's obviously my first game for the club, so I'm really looking forward to getting out there," Prismall said.

"It's been really smooth sailing all the way through, I've had no real hiccups, so credit to the fitness staff and physios at the footy club - I wouldn't be back this quickly or in this good condition without their help."

Geelong coach Mark Thompson had a feeling Essendon speedster Andrew Lovett would have a spectacular season having attempted to secure Lovett in a trade prior to the start of season 2009.

"We were interested in Andrew and he was quite prepared to come," Thompson said.

"The trade was almost done but Essendon pulled out at the last minute. In the end, we lost Prismall for almost nothing and they kept Lovett.

"Now Lovett's paying fantastic footy and Prismall's back in so they're the big winners out of that deal."

Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall managed to play 45 minutes in the VFL in his return from an ACL injury.

"He looked to be reading the ball well and he got about a dozen touches," Bombers assistant Gary O'Donnell said.

"It was all you could ask of him at this stage and I know he will be pleased to be back out there. It has been a hard slog for him - it is great that he can now get back out there and do what he does best."

Former Geelong midfielder Brent Prismall will return via Essendon's VFL side next weekend.