Brett Deledio sticks to Richmond's finals aim
Jon Ralph | May 27, 2009
BRETT Deledio is either deluded, wildly optimistic, or toeing the party line. He says his Tigers are still in the race for September action, despite their 1-8 win-loss record.
The Tigers would need to win 11 of 14 matches to make finals, but Deledio said their strong finish last season gave the club hope.
The Tigers, who capitulated against Essendon at the weekend after a bright start, take on Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night in Terry Wallace's 500th game as a player and coach.
Wallace has been told he will survive until the mid-season break and is guaranteed his year's salary if he resigns in the next fortnight.
He has said he will not walk away, but there is still speculation the club and coach may soon part.
While Deledio defended the exuberant goal celebrations against the Bombers, and captain Chris Newman's role in the Wallace saga, his claim the club could still play finals stood out.
"I wouldn't say it's impossible yet. We can still win every game and we might be a chance," Deledio said.
"We had high hopes going into the season and it didn't get off on the right foot.
"Last year we won eight of the last 11 games. That's the aim, I guess, to finish as well as we did last year."
The Tigers last year beat Fremantle in the NAB Cup in Perth, and enjoyed away victories against the Dockers and West Coast in the regular season.
Defender Alex Rance is available after recovering from fracturing his cheekbone, but Ben Cousins must prove he is over a broken finger that could derail a Perth homecoming.
"We travel well when we go away and enjoy each other's company, so it should be good to get away to Perth and take on the Dockers on the big deck over there," Deledio said.
"Freo are travelling a little bit better than us. We played well against them last year, so we are looking forward to the challenge and big open spaces out there."
Young Tigers including Deledio, Mitch Morton and Kayne Pettifer have been criticised for wild first-quarter celebrations against the Bombers.
The euphoria rang hollow when the same players could not sustain the rage, but Deledio was not concerned.
"No, what is there to care about? You kick a goal and you want to get around each other. I think it's just Kayne Pettifer, to be honest," he quipped.
"He really does enjoy a goal."
Deledio backed the role Newman played in last week's developments and said he was doing an outstanding job.
"Chris was without doubt the No. 1 choice as skipper and he's done a fantastic job," he said. "He's a pretty strong character."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25543900-19742,00.html
