Deledio determined to deliver
10:09:41 AM Mon 6 February, 2006
Scott Spits
Sportal for afl.com.au
Such was Brett Deledio's impact on AFL ranks during his debut season in 2005 the obvious question remains - is there a danger of second-year blues?
The 2004 No.1 draft selection played all 22 matches for Richmond, winning the NAB AFL Rising Star award and culminating with Australian representation in the International Rules series against Ireland.
Making his mark as a classy and prolific midfielder, the 18-year-old is well aware of the risk of having a lesser impact on the competition under the close scrutiny of opposition players and coaches.
Deledio has taken plenty of advice from football folk about avoiding the phenomenon of second-year burn-out.
"A lot of people have said to me there's second-year blues - try not to let it get to you and whatever," said the hard-running midfielder.
"Basically that's all I'm going to try and do - go out there and play footy like I did last year and try and improve on that."
With a full season on an AFL list under his belt, Deledio hasn't been shielded from any of the hard yakka on the training track during the pre-season.
He said he was prepared for the brutality of pre-season training the second time around.
"I've found it's still been as tough in the running, but I found it a little bit easier because you know what's coming. You know what to expect with the running and how to deal with it, and all that sort of stuff.
"It hasn't been too bad but it's certainly hard work at the same time.
"I was looked after a little bit last year, just so we didn't burn out or anything, but this year I haven't been exempted from anything.
"It's definitely been a lot harder but I'm also reaping the benefits from doing that."
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=244554
