Brett Deledio is expected to be fit for AFL season despite ongoing Achilles sorenessJon Ralph
Herald-Sun
February 20, 2015 RICHMOND has allayed concerns about Brett Deledio’s lingering Achilles soreness, confident it will not delay his start to the season proper.
The 27-year-old missed a month early in 2014 with the problem but returned to put together one of his best seasons for the Tigers.
The issue flared again pre-Christmas and while he has been carefully managed Tigers football boss Dan Richardson says he is now pain-free.
The Tigers this week locked in Dustin Martin until 2017, with Richardson confident the club will sign free agent Alex Rance at some stage in the coming season.
They take on the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval next week and will likely play a younger side, but Deledio will play some NAB Challenge games.
“When he is training, he is fine,’’ Richardson said.
“There are no symptoms at all, it is just a management and maintenance issue. He will be right to play NAB Challenge. We feel we have got control of it and are confident it won’t be a problem.”
Richmond have almost a clean bill of health, with Reece Conca back in full training after knee soreness but rookie Matt Thomas held back after post-season knee surgery.
Ruckman Ivan Maric hasn’t missed a beat after surgery for ankle bone spurs forced a late start to 2014, with Chris Knights (knee) also fully fit.
Like many clubs they are in a holding period, anxious for game time but eager to avoid injuries after a horror week for Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer.
First-round pick Corey Ellis is a month away from full training after foot surgery but fellow draftees Connor Menadue, Nathan Drummond, Dan Butler and even pick No.77 Reece McKenzie have coach Damien Hardwick pleasantly surprised with their progress.
Richardson said some including pacy 67kg wingman Menadue were likely to get some NAB Challenge minutes.
“He has trained well and put himself in the frame. We were criticised through the trade period but it was our strategy to invest heavily and add to midfield depth. We have brought Taylor Hunt in and would expect him to play good senior footy for us and we have achieved our goal.
“Corey Ellis is probably three to four weeks away from full training but he is running and looking fit. Of all our first-year players he is the one that has been restricted the most but he’s not far off being able to resume.”
Richardson said the club was confident in securing Rance’s signature given he had made it clear he was happy at Punt Rd.
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