The rise and rise of Brett Deledio
richmondfc.com.au
By Tony Greenberg
Mon 18 August, 2008
Talented young Tiger midfielder Brett Deledio may well be rewarded for his excellent consistency throughout the 2008 season with the coveted Jack Dyer Medal.
The No. 1 pick in the 2004 National Draft clearly has taken his game to another level this year, after winning the AFL’s Rising Star award in his 2005 debut season and finishing fifth in Richmond’s Best and Fairest count in 2007.
Statistics alone highlight Deledio’s reliability in season ’08 . . . He’s played all 20 games and is averaging 24.5 disposals per match, 6.8 marks per match and 4.2 inside-50 entries per match.
Deledio has racked up 25 or more disposals 12 times this season, he’s kicked 22 goals, and also has 16 goal assists to his credit.
He is ranked 12th in the competition for total disposals, 18th for total marks, and 19th for total inside-50 entries.
Not bad for a player who’s just 21 years and four months old, with less than 100 games experience at the game’s highest level (he’s played 82 games out of a possible 86 up to the end of Round 20, 2008).
Given the impact Deledio has made on such a consistent basis during the season, he must be rated one of the leading chances for the 2008 Jack Dyer Medal, along with the likes of Matthew Richardson and Shane Tuck.
‘Lids’ again played a major role for the Tigers in their stunning upset victory over second-placed Hawthorn at the MCG last Sunday, gathering 29 possessions (12 kicks, 17 handballs), taking 10 marks, laying five tackles, and kicking a classy, vital, inspirational goal.
Below is a brief snapshot of Brett Deledio’s development since his senior league debut in ’05 . . .
2005 15.3 disposals per match, 3.9 marks per match, 14 goals
2006 18.8 disposals per match, 6.5 marks per match, 5 goals
2007 18.4 disposals per match, 5.4 marks per match, 21 goals
2008 (after Round 20)
24.5 disposals per match, 6.8 marks per match, 22 goals
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