Richmond star Brett Deledio is thriving on the added responsibility of his leadership role within the Club’s playing group.
Deledio, who is about to enter his second season as Richmond’s vice-captain (and his 10th season of AFL football overall), discussed the leadership aspect of his game on this week’s edition of “Talking Tigers”.
“I’ve definitely been working on it (leadership) for quite a while,” Deledio said.
“I was sort of thrust into it a bit when I was young.
Help the Tigers to ‘Bring the Roar Home’ this season and join as a 2014 Richmond member today.
“It was probably only my second year, and I was in the emerging leaders’ group.
“Although we didn’t do that much, a bit was expected of me then.
“Over the years, I’ve taken on the role a bit more.
“Wayne Campbell (former Richmond captain) taught me that it’s all about building relationships with blokes, and that’s all I try and do . . .
“I make sure I try and talk to as many blokes as I can, and find out how they’re going.
“You don’t just stick with your own mates all the time . . . just branch out a bit.”
Deledio, 26 (he turns 27 in April), made his AFL debut with Richmond in 2005 and he’s played 195 games, including the past 138 in-a-row, which is a competition current consecutive games’ record.