Big future for bulked-up Deledio
5:18:27 PM Tue 28 March, 2006
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au
Richmond coach Terry Wallace has predicted Brett Deledio will become both an elite midfielder and a potential key forward with the 2005 NAB AFL Rising Star winner now a massive nine kilos heavier than this time last year.
Deledio, who now weighs an imposing 90kg following his first full pre-season after coming to the club at just 81kg last year, is set to take on much more responsibility this year following his stunning debut season.
The 18-year-old not only played every game in winning the rising start award but also represented Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland.
While Wallace admits he was reluctant to give Deledio too much responsibility last year - in which he spent the bulk of his time on the wing - he says 2006 will be different.
"At 17 (last year) and not knowing where he was at, it was a pretty big ask to ask Brett Deledio to run in the midfield at that stage," Wallace said on Tuesday.
"But he is over 90kg now so he is a fairly big boy and can handle himself with the best of them at any given time.
"He is a big unit and he is going to be a player who is able to play key position and play on-ball."
Wallace described Deledio as "special" on Tuesday and says his time with the Australian side has only further sped up his maturing process.
"He is a very mature boy and the ability to handle playing with the Australian side was fantastic for him and really helped his leadership and understanding of what the elite players in the competition do."
Wallace said it was vital players such as Deledio and David Rodan spent more time in midfield this year to ease the burden on skipper Kane Johnson, 2003 club champion Mark Coughlan and last year's surprise packet Shane Tuck, - whom Wallace believes tired towards the end of last year because of carrying too heavy a workload in midfield.
"There is no doubt we need more midfield rotations because that is where footy is going," he said.
Another possible contender to spend more time in the Tigers' midfield is Richard Tambling, who Wallace believes was judged too harshly last year.
Tambling was the Tigers' second pick - at No.4 behind top pick Deledio - but he could manage just 12 games, only showing glimpses of his talent as he was plagued by toe and hamstring injuries as well as suffering in comparison to Deledio.
"We are unfair on young performers in this comp sometimes," Wallace said.
"Richard is at where most players who have been in the competition for one year are at with the exception of Brett and (the Bulldogs) Ryan Griffen because they are the only two who have absolutely captured the imagination of everyone in their first 12 months."
Wallace said 19-year-old Tambling had also gone through some major off-field changes last year.
"Not only did he have to deal with some injuries in his first year of footy but he also had to deal with coming from Darwin, setting up his first home, bringing his girlfriend down from Darwin then his girlfriend being pregnant and going through all that.
"So he had a lot going on in his first 12 months and I just think it will take him time to establish himself."
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