Lids' press conference today ...
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-11-27/deledio-press-conference-november-27thBrett Deledio didn’t stew over Richmond’s third elimination final defeat in a row but the Tigers star agrees preventing another swift AFL finals exit will motivate many of his teammates in 2016.
A season of such promise ended abruptly at the hands of North Melbourne, but Richmond took their first step towards putting the pain of that defeat behind them on Friday when they gathered for the first training session of their pre-season campaign at Punt Road.
“Some blokes will probably be motivated by that more than others,” Deledio said.
“Other guys will just look to motivate themselves by striving to get as good as we can and win that ultimate prize.
“It’s something that will always be there but I’m certainly not stewing over it.
“We’ll learn from it and move on.”
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“I’ve had all my bags packed and my clothes all laid out ready to go. So, I’m a bit nervous, a bit excited,” he said.
“It’s always good to get back with the boys and start preparing for a new season . . .
“I’ve met the new kids already. They presented really well . . . came up, shook my hand and said hello, which is good.”
Deledio is confident the three players Richmond recruited from rival league clubs during the off-season – Chris Yarran (Carlton), Andrew Moore (Port Adelaide) and Jacob Townsend (GWS) – will provide the Tigers with a significant boost moving forward.
“They’re great additions. They’re stronger bodies and we’ve all seen what ‘Yazman’ (Yarran) can do with the footy,” he said.
“I’m excited to play with those boys and looking forward to what they bring to our side.”
Deledio, who missed five games in 2015 due to a calf injury, but still managed to finish third in the Club’s Best and Fairest, and gain selection in the All-Australian team, will take a more cautious approach as he prepares for his 12th season of AFL football.
“As you get older you’ve just got to look after yourself a bit more . . . you’re not doing everything like you used to when you were first on the scene,” he said.
“I’ll be in constant discussions with our fitness guys and our medical staff. They’ll hold me in good stead, I think, to get myself ready and raring to go for 2016.
“I’ve got no issues at all, had no surgery or anything like that, so just been completing my program over the off-season and feel really good.”
http://www.sportsnews.com.au/afl/tigers-kick-off-afl-pre-season-training/163986http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-11-27/schools-in-for-classy-tiger