Richmond star Brett Deledio was the best performing player during the NAB Challenge Herald-Sun
March 13, 2014 EIGHTEEN games in 18 days, a round of practice matches and a pre-season of reconnaissance - the five observations that caught the Field Marshal's eye:
NO RESPECTBRETT Deledio has a lot in common with the late Rodney Dangerfield. The Hollywood actor used to complain that he got no respect and it would seem the same for the Richmond speedster.
Not deemed good enough for Mike Sheahan's top 50, Deledio was the No. 1 ranked player in the competition over the NAB Challenge. Yes, it was only pre-season, but it was another reminder of the qualities of the 2004 No. 1 draft pick.
The dual best-and-fairest has finished in the top three of the Jack Dyer Medal in four of the past five years. His durability is outstanding, having missed only four games since making his debut in 2005.
How he continues to go underrated is a mystery.
Deledio averaged 123 Champion Data ranking points across his three pre-season games ahead of the Lions' Jack Redden (122) and Bulldogs quartet Luke Dahlhaus (121), Tom Liberatore (119), Macrae (119) and Koby Stevens (118).
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-brett-deledio-was-the-best-performing-player-during-the-nab-challenge/story-fndv8t7m-1226852926736