Richmond star Brett Deledio says David Astbury can take job on Hawthorn's Lance Franklin Jackie Epstein
From: Herald Sun
April 05, 2011 12:28PMRICHMOND star Brett Deledio has backed young defender David Astbury to lead the charge on Hawk guns Buddy Franklin and Jarryd Roughead on Saturday night.
The Tigers will be light on for key backmen after Luke McGuane today joined Alex Rance on the sidelines courtesy of the match review panel.
Deledio said Astbury was the obvious choice to take a key job, while Will Thursfield, Dylan Grimes and Dave Gourdis were all possible inclusions.
“He’s one of our only big tall backs down there after losing the other two, so I’d imagine he’d take Roughead or Franklin,’’ Deledio said after training at Punt Rd.
Twenty-year-old Astbury, who has played 17 games, is 1cm shorter and 10kg lighter than Franklin.
“We’ll back him in," Deledio said.
“Disappointing, isn’t it? Alex Rance is playing some good footy and so is Luke McGuane.
"I guess it just gives an opportunity to Will Thursfield, Dylan Grimes, Dave Gourdis to step up and make the most of an opportunity. Both Will and Dylan have shown they can play on the key forwards.’’
Deledio said Jack Riewoldt got through training comfortably after his well-documented concussion last week.
“Jack, I don’t think he’s changed much, he’s always full of beans," Deledio said.
“Good to see him back out there training loud and enjoying it, I guess.
“I was actually on the bench (when Riewoldt was concussed) and I was just concentrating fully on the game, I didn’t think twice about it.’’
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-brett-deledio-says-david-astbury-can-take-job-on-hawthorns-lance-franklin/story-e6frf9jf-1226033969970
