RICHMOND star Brett Deledio will return to the midfield next year after several seasons playing across the half-back line.
Coach Damien Hardwick said the recruitment of a number of quality ball users meant Deledio, 24, would get his wish to play in the middle.
"With the players who we've brought in - with the addition of Steven Morris, Brandon Ellis has come in there and we've got Bachar Houli and Matty Dea - we probably think Brett will play more midfield next year than he has previously," Hardwick said yesterday at the Richmond training camp in Tucson, Arizona.
"But the challenge is well and truly there. He would like to play midfield, and he's going to get his opportunity, but he needs to show that he's capable of playing with Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Nathan Foley and the players we've got in there.
"Because the one thing we have got is reasonable midfield depth, so he's got to earn his stripes.
"But the great thing about Brett ... as great a player as he is, he still wants to get better and that's exciting for our footy club. He's always ringing, he's always driven, he always wants to get better at everything he does.
"The scary thing about it is he's only 24 years of age, he's won two or three best-and-fairests and was probably a little bit stiff not to be All-Australian last year."
Deledio, a former No.1 draft pick, comes out of contract at the end of next season and is likely to attract interest from Greater Western Sydney, which has one more year to lure uncontracted players.
He also becomes eligible for free agency at the end of 2012 when the AFL introduces new rules regarding player movement.
Deledio will become a restricted free agent, forcing the Tigers to match the monetary offer of rival suitors if he was inclined to leave.
Earlier this year he said he wanted to finish his career at Richmond.
"Whenever the good players are out of contract you're always a little bit concerned," Hardwick said.
"But the thing about Brett is, he knows where we're going and he wants to be a winner. And I think that's where we are headed."
The Tigers yesterday took to the mountains surrounding Tucson for a four-hour hike before a weights session at the University of Arizona.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmonds-brett-deledio-set-for-return-to-midfield/story-e6frf9jf-1226212661356
