By Tim Rowe
February 21 2005
Shepparton News
Kyabram teenager Brett Deledio could not believe his dream of playing AFL football had finally come true.
Deledio, 17, made his debut for Richmond against Collingwood in the Wizard Cup on Friday night in front of more than 33 000 fans, including family and friends.
"I loved every minute," Deledio said yesterday.
But it was the sheer size and speed of his opponents that made Deledio realise he was finally in the big league.
"It is just the step up in pace - that was the biggest thing," he said.
"The size of the guys, too, is unbelievable."
Last year's number one draft pick, Deledio gathered 13 possessions and kicked a goal in a promising start.
"It was the best feeling ever," he said of that goal.
"It was good to just see it sail through the middle."
But things did not start as planned for Deledio when his first kick turned out to be a clanger when trying to clear the ball from the backline.
"I didn't take enough steps when I was preparing to kick," he said.
Playing in the midfield and up forward, Deledio said he felt the effects of his first game.
"We had a recovery session on Saturday and I'm a bit sore," he said.
"But it's not too bad, nothing to worry about."
Deledio said the atmosphere at Telstra Dome when the side ran out onto the ground was electric.
"It was too hard to describe," he said.
"But it sent a shiver up my spine."
Following the game, Deledio said there was no time to celebrate his achievements.
"I went home to bed - I was stuffed," he said.
Richmond narrowly went down to the fast-finishing Pies at the Telstra Dome by seven points 5.9.9 (108) to 3.12.16 (115).
Richmond will play a practice match against Essendon at Morwell this weekend.
"I'd hope I would get to play in Morwell," he said.
But Tigers players were yet to receive any feedback from coaching staff after Friday's season opener.
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