Brett Deledio says it's time Richmond started beating CollingwoodHerald-Sun
April 9, 2014Brett Deledio said it was time the Tigers got the Collingwood monkey off their back after six straight defeats since 2007.
“It’s a huge game for us and I’d desperately love to play. We haven’t beaten Collingwood for a while in the season proper, so hopefully we can this week.
“Sitting at 1-2, we need to even up the ledger, and go into playing Brisbane, Hawthorn and Geelong with some real momentum.”
Deledio had planned to wear pink boots if he played on Friday night to help raise funds for breast cancer research.
ME Bank will donate $1000 for every goal the Tigers kick on Friday night in a fundraising initiative.
Deledio admitted the Tigers had been sloppy so far this season, but he was confident they can turn it around quickly.
“We haven’t played anywhere near our best footy, but we have been in all the games so far and we have been in front during the last quarters,” he said.
“We are as fit as any side, but we have got to make the most of our opportunities and at the moment we are butchering the footy and not kicking enough goals.”
He said the confidence-boosting second half return to form of Jack Riewoldt last week might be a turning point for the full-forward.
“Jack thrives on being the man down there ... he took some great grabs and kicked some crucial goals for us (against the Bulldogs),” Deledio said.
“For a guy who has played over 100 games, he is a confidence player, so he will take a lot out of last week.”
Deledio dismissed suggestions the Tigers’ senior players were not having a big enough influence on the group.
“It’s not just about the leaders, it is about everyone pulling together,” he said. “I think that is just a cheap line that people throw out.”
ME Bank CEO Jamie McPhee said he hoped Deledio would play so it would boost the coffers of breast cancer research.
“One in eight women at some stage will have breast cancer, so it has touched everyone’s lives,” McPhee said.
“For us to be involved and to help raise money is something we are very proud to be a part of.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-brett-deledio-ruled-out-of-clash-against-collingwood/story-fni5f9jb-1226879143580
