In the 10th of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series focusing on 14 key findings from the Tigers’ 2014 season, we take a look at Brett Deledio’s recovery, reinvention and revitalisation.
No. 10: Brett Deledio bounced back brilliantly from the first major injury setback of his league career.
Brett Deledio entered unchartered territory in 2014 . . .
After playing 197 of a possible 201 games since making his senior league debut in the 2005 opening round, and earning a reputation as the most durable performer in the competition, Deledio was stricken with a nagging Achilles injury early this season.
Bid on 2014 Richmond signed match-worn guernseys, including Brett Deledio’s
He missed four games and then, when he returned, was still hampered in his movements.
To Deledio’s great credit, however, he managed to work his way through the injury issue, and go on to produce top-class football for the Tigers throughout the second half of the season.
And, he did it in a different on-field position – as a full-time half-forward – rather than his customary midfield role.
From Round 12 onwards, Deledio averaged just under 26 disposals, 9.4 contested possessions, and kicked 17 goals.
Many of those goals were real team-lifting ones, at crucial times for the Tigers, as they boldly charged towards a finals berth.
The boost that Deledio provided Richmond’s forward line, with his pace, aerial ability, ball-getting prowess and football ‘smarts’, was a significant part of the team’s resurrection.
Deledio totally embraced the move forward, as he explained in a post-season ‘Roar Vision’ interview . . .
“I certainly loved playing that forward role. It feels really natural, and that’s what I trained the whole summer, to play that role,” he said.
“It’s an incredibly hard spot, half forward. You’ve got to be up the ground to give defensive support, then work all the way back so they can’t just run it out really easily.
“It feels really comfortable, but I’ve still got to find a few more tricks for next year, and work harder again to make sure I’m continually giving myself opportunities to win the footy.”
