Pick one: Brett Deleldio or Ryan Griffin? * Jon Anderson
* From: Herald Sun
* April 01, 2010EACH week Jon Anderson will ask you to pick the best of two footballers. Today, who would you pick between Richmond's Brett Deledio and the Bulldogs' Ryan Griffen?
BOTH taken high in the 2004 National Draft, both 188cm midfielders who can also play forward or back, their ability to run and carry is a standout feature in today’s game.
So, who would you choose first if Brett Deledio and Ryan Griffen were available in this year’s National Draft, as they were in 2004 when taken with picks one and three respectively?
Who would you pick? Debate with Jon Anderson below at 9am.
That was the same draft where Jarryd Roughead went at two, Richard Tambling at four and Buddy Franklin got through to five for reasons only known to the recuiters of the time.
Deledio and Griffen have since become fine players in their own right and to win two best and fairests by age 22, albeit in a struggling team, is a fair reflection of where Deledio is at.
Griffin plays at a far stronger club and has suffered one serious injury when he dislocated his knee in 2007 after a very good season in 2006.
But have both fulfilled their obvious talent? Mike Sheahan would say not after he left them out of his annual top 50 player lists.
Now into their sixth seasons, Deledio and Griffen are at a stage where you want more from them.
Griffen teases because when in full flight he is a sight to behold, a fluent runner capable of carrying the ball further than most. But he suffers from inconsistency, although at 23 he’s reached the stage where he may be ready to explode.
Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett were both that age before becoming the midfield stars they are today. Back to Deledio and Griffen, who would you choose first?
On exposed form it’s hard to justify placing him ahead of Deledio, but Griffen plays in a free-wheeling style that can change games very quickly. Maybe it’s blind faith but I still believe he will end up the better player.
Or do it this way. When you team is exposed to Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, who worries you most?
ANDO'S VERDICT: RYAN GRIFFENTALE OF THE TAPEBrett DeledioAge: 22
Games: 107
Height and weight: 188cm, 88kg
Best and fairests: 1st in 2008-2009
NAB Rising Star in 2005
Strengths: Good overhead mark, good speed, long and accurate kick.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t win enough contested football and right now is a jack of all trades, master of none.
Ryan GriffenAge: 23
Games: 98
Height and weight: 188cm, 87kg
Best and fairests: 9th in 2008, 8th in 2006
2nd in 2005 NAB Rising Star.
Strengths: Has obvious speed and balance, good core strength to break tackles and can kick it long.
Weaknesses: Like Deledio is extremely athletic but not an obviously natural player. Needs to get it more often.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/pick-one-brett-deleldio-or-ryan-griffin/story-e6frf9jf-1225848330171
