Lifting Lids
10:57:08 AM Wed 14 September, 2005
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Talented Tiger teenager Brett Deledio reflects on his whirlwind rise in AFL ranks this year in this special website interview with the Club’s Media Manager Tony Greenberg.
Tony Greenberg: How does it feel to be the AFL’s 2005 NAB Rising Star?
Brett Deledio: I’m just honored to be put in the class with the likes of Nathan Buckley, Ben Cousins and Nick Riewoldt (previous winners) . . . To be there with them is just amazing.
TG: When you were drafted, did you ever think about the possibility of winning the Rising Star award?
BD: It was in the back of my mind to just get a nomination. But to win it, no . . . I never, ever dreamt of winning it.
TG: Do you have a couple of individual stand-out highlights of the season?
BD: I guess taking that mark against Melbourne (Round 10) at Telstra Dome was a bit of a highlight. And then, going for a couple of runs through the middle of the MCG . . . The reaction of the crowd was incredible.
TG: Speaking of the crowd, what did you make of the support you received on match days from the Tiger fans?
BD: I remember sitting at full-forward one day, and I could hear the ‘Grog Squad’ up the back singing some song about me. They tend to yell pretty loud, the old Richmond supporters . . .
TG: Does that give you a lift?
BD: Oh, definitely. To hear them screaming and cheering for you when you kick a goal, that’s just amazing.
TG: Before you arrived at Richmond, what was your perception of the Club?
BD: That’s a tough question . . . I don’t know really. I did think, however, it was a great opportunity to come and try and lift the club that had been down for a while. We had so many young draft picks come through at the same time. Hopefully, we can all be playing good footy together in a couple of years.
TG: What’s the camaraderie like between the young players at the Club?
BD: I’m really good mates with a couple of second-year players – Brent Hartigan and ‘Rainesy’ (Andrew Raines) – and all the first-year players. We’re a pretty tight-knit group and enjoy spending time together.
TG: You seem to enjoy the company of the older players at the Club, too.
BD: I played senior cricket from about age 14, and senior footy at a young age as well, so I’ve always been mingling with older guys. It hasn’t been too hard to step in and become mates with all of the older guys here.
TG: What are Terry Wallace’s main strengths as a coach?
BD: I reckon he’s a good coach because of the way he sets everything up. It’s very structured . . . all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. He backed me in all year and told me to run and carry, and do what I’ve done all my life in footy. So, I haven’t had to change my game too much, which has certainly made it easier.
TG: What’s the best part about playing league football with Richmond?
BD: Definitely the opportunity to carve out something special at the Club. Hopefully, we can continue to improve and play regular finals footy in the next couple of years . . . that would be great.
TG: How much more pressure will you be under next year?
BD: I guess it’ll obviously lift. Hopefully, I can go along the lines of how Adam Cooney went this year with the Western Bulldogs. He had a fantastic second year of AFL football, and if I can do much the same as what he did, I’d be pretty happy. I’ve just got to keep trying to maintain consistency.
TG: What specific areas of your game will you be working on pre-season?
BD: Endurance, in particular . . . making sure that I can run out a game properly. I also want to put on another 3-5 kg.
TG: Do you have a long-term football ambition?
BD: Long-term is to win a Grand Final with Richmond . . . everyone wants to win a premiership. I haven’t played in one since under-13 days, so to win one would over-ride any individual honor.
TG: You seem to be a fairly extroverted character around the place and enjoy having your say. Is that a reasonable assessment?
BD: Oh, yeah, but nothing too bad. You just tell things the way they are, I guess, without pumping your own tyres up . . .
TG: How do you rate the Club’s assistant coaches?
BD: Each week after I’d played – on the Tuesday – I’d sit in the office with ‘Choco’ (Brian Royal) and he’d show me where I went well and what I needed to do to make sure I got more of the footy and became more dangerous. So, he’s been fantastic. ‘Kingy’ (David King) has helped me with my kicking a lot, and the same with Dave Wheadon and my goalkicking. They’ve all been a big help to me . . .
TG: Thanks for your time, Brett. Congratulations on your season and enjoy your break now.
BD: No worries . . .
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