After serving his apprenticeship as a full-back in the Fitzroy under-19s and reserves, Pretto finally made his senior debut late in the 1978 VFL season.
In the Grand Final that year he kicked 12 goals despite playing on the losing team.
[3] In 1989 Pretto was full-forward for the VFA's representative team which won the NFL Shield.
[4] He played his final three seasons with Dandenong, and topped the Association's goal-kicking with 87 goals in 1994.
At retirement, the VFA interstate football representative had kicked 1070 goals, a tally only bettered by Fred Cook.