A touch of Carlton in Deledio bloodline
Mike Sheahan | June 28, 2008
WAYNE Deledio is listed in the Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers, but he only just qualified.
In two seasons with the Blues (1975-76), he played at senior level once - against Fitzroy in 1975. Sort of.
He spent the bulk of the afternoon on the bench, came on for the last few minutes, touched the ball once yet didn't actually record a disposal.
"I like to use the excuse that Geoff Southby was there at the time, which made it pretty tough for a full-back, but I don't think I was good enough," he said this week.
Thirty years on, he is Brett Deledio's father, mentor, confidant and critic.
Father and son review and analyse each of the 21-year-old's games for 60-90 minutes, addressing apparent weaknesses, reinforcing basic rules.
"After the first game this year, I felt like, 'Geez, where am I going here'?" Deledio Jr said this week.
"I sat down with Dad and we had a lengthy chat about lots of different things.
"I think that chat turned it around for me.
"He wrote down some things he wanted me to work on and I still read them before every game. Nine points - things like, around stoppages, stay on your toes; don't be predictable and mechanical; don't just jog all the time, use your pace; that sort of stuff.
"It definitely helps. At stoppages, I'm always thinking, 'Gotta keep moving'."
Wayne Deledio says: "Did he tell you that, did he?"
"After that first game (this year), he said, 'What have I got to do?' and we just went through a few things.
"The things 'Plough' (coach Terry Wallace) and the other coaches would talk to him about. Just a few little things.
"I think he's developing OK. I think kids are judged too early these days. Chris Judd caused that, not his fault, of course.
"I was bored the other Sunday afternoon and did a bit of research. There are lots of blokes that are now household names and you look at their first four years, and some of them really struggled."
Deledio Sr says he is just like any father of a young footballer.
Asked if he pushed too hard, he said: "I try to be very honest with him.
"You're not doing a kid any favours just pumping up his tyres."
Deledio Jr speaks with genuine fondness for his father, but says he hasn't bothered sugar-coating his message.
"We get on super. Couldn't speak more highly of Dad. He's helped me so much, coached me through my junior days.
"After every game, we talk for an hour, hour-and-a-half, and he tells me what I did wrong, what I did right.
"Usually, the wrong would outweigh the right," and he laughs warmly.
"It was harsh at times. I'd say, 'Is this bloke ever going to lay off me?' but it's obviously worked.
"Even now, straight after the game, I'm on the phone to him and having a chat. See what he thinks."
Footnote: Wayne and Judy Deledio won't see Brett play his biggest game today.
They will be watching their other children, Matt, 19, and Sheridan, 16, in their sporting pursuits - Matt with Kyabram against Seymour in the Goulburn Valley league, Sheridan playing netball for Tatura.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23933606-19742,00.html
