Round Six

Brett Deledio first came onto Richmond’s radar in the dark days of 2004, when it was obvious that the Tigers were headed for the dreaded Wooden Spoon and the number 1 pick in the draft, the name of Brett Deledio featured prominently in discussions and he was always going to be called out by Richmond on that day. Brett’s father was a handy footballer in his day and registered one senior appearance for Carlton, he comes from Kyabram which is good footballing country. Melbourne’s Gary Lyon and Adam Yze are both from there as is Deledio’s team mate Kayne Pettifer and Richmond’s multiple Premiership winner in the 60’s and 70’s Dick Clay is also from Kyabram. In his first season Brett established himself as a star of the future by playing all 22 home and away games and winning the Rising Star. He found the going a little tougher over the next couple of years, coming to realise that he needed more than a withering burst of speed to dominate the midfield. His height, strength and straight kicking netted him 5 goals against Collingwood late in 2007 and triggered a plan to play him forward for 2008. This has only been partially successful, while he can play a key position and kick goals, he’s essentially a midfielder who can go forward. This is the role he has played since Rd3 and he’s doing it well. He was superb against Hawthorn. He was mostly in the midfield and his 30 possessions says that the Hawks had no real answer to counter his strength, skill and speed, he set up a number of goals and marked strongly. It’s a sight to gladden any Tigers heart when Nathan Foley shoots out a handball from the centre to Brett Deledio, he’ll use his jets to get away from an opponent and generally put the ball, laces out on the chest of a leading forward. He was doing that yesterday. It’s just a shame that it wasn’t for a winning side, but it will be. Deledio is Richmond’s future and the future is bright.

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