BRETT Deledio made a stunning return from injury to steer Richmond to a 74-point victory over Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval on Saturday in a match where Israel Folau was reported twice.
Folau was hit with two rough conduct charges, one for a minor incident against Daniel Jackson in the second quarter and another in the third term involving Brett Deledio which went unnoticed by all bar the umpires.
On an eventful afternoon for the rugby league convert, he also clashed heads with Tom Scully, leaving the midfielder requiring scans on a cheekbone, while Folau also impressed in the second half when moved into the ruck.
Coach Kevin Sheedy saw the first incident, but wouldn't comment.
"I did and I just can't talk on reportable incidents," he said.
"He actually played well in the ruck after that, we were really pleased with his ruck play.
"He got some terrific tap-outs, but I can't make any comments on reports."
Folau was the talking point after the match, but Deledio was the star of the show in Richmond's 20.20 (140) to 10.6 (66) win.
In his first outing this year following a hamstring injury, Deledio had 33 possessions and kicked four goals in Richmond's triumph over a Giants side that will commence the 2012 AFL season against the Sydney Swans next week.
"He's an important player and it was really important that he got some match practice," coach Damien Hardwick said of Deledio.
"He probably could've played last week, but we thought we'd give him another week to strengthen that hamstring up.
"He was really impressive and we look forward to him playing around the wing and up forward for round one, which is a real positive for us."
The usual suspects of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Nathan Foley were prominent for Richmond, while Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals in the second half.
Callan Ward, Jonathan Giles and youngsters Will Hoskin-Elliott, Devon Smith, Adam Kennedy, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Bugg stood out for the home side.
Excitement is building among the Richmond faithful after a strong NAB Cup campaign, which included wins over Geelong and Hawthorn, and Saturday's performance would have done nothing to diminish that hope.
The Tigers owned the footy in the first quarter, pumping the ball inside 50 eight times before the Giants had gone forward of the centre square.
GWS at least showed some good tackling pressure, but there was a clear gulf in class in the opening term as Richmond led by 26 points.
In an encouraging sign for GWS, both sides finished the second quarter with 4.2, but Richmond largely dominated after half-time.
While he wasn't thrilled with the scoreline, Sheedy could still take some positives from their final NAB Cup hit-out.
"We definitely needed it," he said.
"Obviously we were playing a team on the march making sure they get an opportunity to get into the finals race this year and that's nearly their best side.
"We let them get off the hook in the first quarter, but we broke even in the second quarter and that was important.
"We just gave them too many goals and took goals off ourselves with plays we've got to learn from."
RICHMOND 3.9 7.11 13.17 20.20 (140)
GWS 0.1 4.3 6.4 10.6 (66)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Deledio 4, A Maric 2, Nahas 2, Vickery, Foley, Jackson, Edwards, Miller, Grigg
GWS: Smith 3, Giles 2, Wilson 2, Cameron, Hoskin-Elliott, Greene
BEST
Richmond: Deledio, Cotchin, Foley, A Maric, Rance, Nahas
GWS: Ward, Giles, Hoskin-Elliott, Smith, Cameron, Bugg
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
GWS: Hoskin-Elliott (hand), Scully (cheekbone)
Reports: Folau (GWS) reported by umpire Nicholls for high contact on Jackson (Rich) in the second quarter.
Folau (GWS) reported by umpire Jennings for rough conduct on Deledio (Rich) in the third quarter.
Umpires: Nicholls, Jennings, Gleeson, Bannister
Official crowd: 4,222 at Manuka Oval
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
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