Brett Deledio says his AFL future is with Richmond TigersThe Age
15th September 2016Richmond star Brett Deledio is emphatic the rising speculation about his AFL future is nothing more than media noise.
The two-time All Australian said his manager Anthony McConville is fielding calls from rival clubs, but they are going no further.
There has been a growing sense this week that something is up with Deledio and the Tigers.
They dropped out of the finals this season for the first time since 2012, sparking a rebel group to call for a spill of the board.
The Richmond hierarchy look to have killed off the challenge, appointing respected administrator Neil Balme as their new football director.
Richmond's woes have inevitably led to talk about player trades and Deledio keeps being mentioned in the speculation.
"It is all noise and that's all it is," Deledio told RSN927.
"(McConville) obviously said with all this noise that's been created by the media, people are ringing up and seeing if there's any truth in it.
"Of course, he's just knocking it all on the head."
Former Tigers great Matthew Richardson said Deledio might not be feeling the love from the club.
But Deledio said that was just an old teammate sticking up for him.
"I am contracted and there are other, bigger things going on in the club at the moment that probably take precedence," Deledio said.
"No individual is bigger than the club and I will stand by that."
Deledio praised Balme's appointment and added that he is impressed with how coach Damien Hardwick has handled the club's woes.
Hardwick gave an impassioned speech last week at their best and fairest awards, strongly backing the current Richmond leadership.
"To Dimma's credit, he's sticking fat and taking it all in his stride - keeping a brave face for the rest of us," Deledio said.
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