Injury-free Dea confident he's in the mixBy Paul Daffey
5:40 PM Thu 08 Mar, 2012WHEN Richmond half-back Matt Dea played four of the last five games in the 2011 season (he missed one though illness), it represented a breakthrough.
In his first season at Punt Road, in 2010, he was unable to play beyond round seven because of a stress fracture on his foot. He'd played three senior games.
Then most of last season was ruined by shin splints, so it was with some pride and relief that he broke into the Tigers' team late in the year.
"Those four games gave me another little taste," he said. "I couldn’t wait for the next season."
Since finishing the 2011 season on a high, Dea (pronounced Dee) has thrived. He's missed only one session during the pre-season, and that was because the coaches believed he needed a rest.
His form in the first two rounds of the NAB Cup games has been only reasonable, but such is his regard at Punt Road that he's favoured to play in the opening round and then play a large part in the Tigers' fortunes throughout the season.
Dea's aim in 2012 is to play every game. He acknowledged it's ambitious, but he gives himself every chance.
"I'm confident my body will hold up," he said. "It's just a matter of whether the form holds up."
Dea spent most of his youth in the Victorian town of Mildura playing basketball with the odd game of footy thrown in.
In year 11, by which time he was boarding at Ballarat and Clarendon College, basketball ruled his sporting life to the extent that he didn’t play one game of footy.
At the end of year 11, he was in a Victorian country basketball squad that toured the United States. His form earned the attention of several colleges, the most notable being North Carolina State.
On returning home he played in a Victorian under-20 squad — after which his motivation waned.
"Then footy happened," he said.
Dea spent 2012 playing footy with his school team. His form even at that level earned the attention of several AFL scouts.
When his school commitments had ended he played three games with the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup. His form with the Rebels was enough to convince Richmond to draft him at No.44 in the 2009 NAB National Draft.
The Tigers consider Dea a natural leader. His main strengths are a cool head — basketball tends to create good decision-makers — and the ability to apply himself to a task.
He lacks endurance, but he believes that will come through further football.
Dea's average possession count in his short career has been 10 to 15. Almost invariably his possessions have been contested.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is urging Dea to become more attacking. He wants the 20-year-old to receive three handballs a quarter.
Dea looks forward to trying to achieve that aim with extra game time during the 2012 season.
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