Lids' finals vow (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Tiger finals vow
09 December 2007   Sunday Herald Sun
David Reed

TIGER gun Brett Deledio says it is time Richmond repaid the faith of its diehard fans and made the top eight in 2008.

"Like all clubs, we want to make the finals and we probably owe it to our supporters after the last three years," Deledio said.

"And it will really be nice for our young guys.

"Last year we lost quite a few games by less than 24 points, so we weren't maybe as bad as you could be finishing last.

"And we've got new players - Mitch Morton, Jordan McMahon and also Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance and Dean Putt in the draft, so it is exciting at the moment."

Deledio - the No. 1 pick in the 2004 national draft - played 19 matches in 2007 for a career total of 62.

He was used in a variety of positions by coach Terry Wallace although his 21 goals put him equal third on the Tigers' goalkicking list.

However, he sees himself again being used all over the ground next season.

"You have to be able to play pretty much everywhere these days," Deledio said. "You get used to it and I don't mind the variety."

An outstanding junior cricketer, Deledio will don the whites again on Wednesday when he plays a Twenty20 match for Victorian Premier League club Richmond against Prahran at Punt Road.

He was so highly regarded then Victorian coach David Hookes wanted to offer Deledio a rookie contract to play for the Bushrangers.

Deledio had a hit in a charity match last weekend, but admitted he was a bit rusty.

"The way I played in that last game I think I am in for a rude shock," Deledio said.

"As long as I can get just one run, I'll be happy - otherwise all the boys will be giving it to me down at the club."

The 20-year-old represented Victoria in cricket at junior level and closely follows the progress of former teammates who have since graduated to senior ranks.

"Aaron Finch was my captain in the under-17s and he has broken into the Bushrangers this season," Deledio said.

"And some of the guys from the other states have been getting their chances, too."

Deledio admits he sometimes misses cricket but has no regrets about his decision to focus on football.

He will train with Richmond's cricket team on Tuesday.

http://heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22892825%255E19742,00.html

[mightytiges]

For all the progress the club has made off-field it still hasn't learnt that preseason talk of wanting to make the finals means nothing. If the club really wants to repay the supporters then DO IT instead of talking about doing it.

[richmondrules]

These sort of articles start to wear a bit thin. Nice to hear about the Tigers and nice to hear from Brett but it all just turns into waffle after a while.

[Hellenic Tiger]

If TW or GM had made those comments we would have been down their throats in a second with the on line vitriol especially after the TW 2011 comments of last year. Rather than toe the party line and express a keeness to finish there in 2008 do it and take it from there. Articles like this are all too common and finals finishes are all too rare. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

[WilliamPowell]

So he says they "WANT" to play finals - 

They should "WANT" to play them every year - I know I want them to play em every year

At least he sais "WANT" as opposed to "WILL"

[mightytiges]

If TW or GM had made those comments we would have been down their throats in a second with the on line vitriol especially after the TW 2011 comments of last year. Rather than toe the party line and express a keeness to finish there in 2008 do it and take it from there. Articles like this are all too common and finals finishes are all too rare. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

Spot on HT74. All anyone at the club needs to say is 2007 was so disappointing (understatement) and we are keen to make up for it in 2008. No need to mention the "F" word. Walk the walk not talk the talk.