Brett Deledio bashers go silent as Richmond star shines Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
May 23, 2012 RICHMOND plays Hawthorn this weekend, which is normally the perfect time for a spot of Deledio-bashing.
Can't believe they took him; could have had Buddy; can't shake a tag; won't get his hands dirty.
Those are the familiar refrains from predominantly non-Richmond supporters who gloat at what the Tigers passed up.
Richmond will never live down the Richard Tambling selection (pick 4) ahead of Lance Franklin (pick 5) given he has sunk without a trace.
And nor should they.
Yet is it finally dawning on the football commentariat that the top-end of this draft might be becoming a little like the 2001 Luke Hodge-Luke Ball-Chris Judd draft.
In other words, a draft where you would have been happy with any of those selections.
Deledio was masterful against Essendon, as he has been all year.
It saw Mick Malthouse, so scornful early in the year about whether he deserved a five-year contract, even tender an apology.
The 2004 national draft went like this: Brett Deledio (1), Jarryd Roughead (2), Ryan Griffen (3), Richard Tambling (4), Lance Franklin (5), Tom Williams (6), Jordan Lewis (7), John Meesen (8 ), Jordan Russell (9), and Chris Egan (10).
Some hits and misses there, but how would you rank the top end of that draft now?
Maybe something like this?
1. Franklin (and by some margin). 2. Deledio. 3. Griffen. 4. Roughead. 5 Lewis.
Argue the toss over Roughead and Lewis, or even Griffen.
Roughead is a beauty, although Griffen and Deledio have better best-and-fairest results.
But there is no doubting Deledio has now become the player everyone at Richmond hoped he would become.
Early last year former Tiger Nathan Brown offered this on Deledio: "If Deledio had been drafted to a Geelong or Collingwood, we would be talking about him in the same regard as (Joel) Selwood or (Scott) Pendlebury.
"I see it similar to Brendon Goddard, much maligned early in his career with a struggling St Kilda to become one of the game's elite, and a prototype for modern AFL with a powerhouse St Kilda.''
His assessment has come true, even if Richmond is still far from a powerhouse.
In the past four years Deledio has two best-and-fairests (08, 09), a runner-up (2011) and a third-placing (2010).
This year's form is better than all of that, with his game against Essendon a fair sample.
Thirty-five disposals, seven marks, nine contested possessions, five clearances, 10 tackles, one goal, 13 score involvements, 24 pressure acts, efficiency of 77 per cent.
This year he is second in the league in handball receives, equal first for inside-50s alongside Patrick Dangerfield, and equal fourth for goal assists.
Taggers are going to the source of Richmond's scores - Trent Cotchin - and sometimes to Dustin Martin, which means Deledio is getting off the chain.
For now.
Tambling's story is particularly sad. He was traded to Adelaide and played 10 games last year, but has battled away in the SANFL this year.
One recruiter yesterday still said Tambling was the right pick at No.4, but just never developed.
"Everyone thought he was the next Michael Long. He had the run and carry. That's where the game was at then. Everyone was looking for speed. Now everyone is looking at players who win the contested ball.''
That draft was a nightmare for the Tigers, who only now are winning the draft and trade battle.
Yet at least Deledio is signed up and finally getting the recognition he has deserved for some time.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport-old/afl/brett-deledio-bashers-go-silent-as-richmond-star-shines/story-e6frepkx-1226363803030
