Brett Deledio on track in bid to play in Richmond’s match against North Melbourne Bruce Matthews
Herald Sun
May 07, 2015 11:11AMRICHMOND has several critical decisions to make on gun midfielder Brett Deledio.
Coach Damien Hardwick and his match committee first must watch Deledio during the main training session at the Punt Road Oval and then wait on his immediate recovery.
If the Tigers decide he’s fully recovered from the calf muscle injury that has sidelined him since the opening round, then it’s a matter of how best to use him in the game against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.
Hardwick didn’t rule out the possibility of Deledio starting in the substitute’s vest or even working back with the VFL team.
“It will be his second full session, so we’re looking forward to him getting through training and then we’ll have match committee this afternoon and we’ll be able to make an informed decision then,’’ Hardwick said before the Tigers’ main training workout of the week.
“He’s ticking all the boxes thus far, it’s just a matter of making sure he gets through training. He won’t train the whole session because he trained at greater length on Tuesday. From our point of view, it will be an informed decision. We’ll back ‘Lids’ in and our medical staff and go from there.
“Obviously, he has missed four weeks, but he has probably 10 to 12 years of AFL experience behind him. He had a big pre-season and it’s just a matter of whether he has enough in the tank.
“We’ll get a good feel. Obviously, we ask the player, they know their body best and how he’s feeling. Whether he thinks he’s fit enough to get through a whole game, half a game.’’
Hardwick said the Tigers were mindful of the risk picking an underdone senior player if there’s an injury to another player early in the game against the Roos.
“He’ll get through training, it’s just whether or not from a game-time point of view, we’re prepared to take the risk of having a player who can possibly play only half the game, three-quarters as a sub or on the ground,’’ he said.
On the VFL option, the coach said: “Good players prefer to play at AFL level. The one think that does rear it’s head, and look it’s unlikely, if you do lose a player early, the player coming back with an injury of a long-time nature is asked to play more and puts him at further risk. They’re the decisions we make at match committee.’’
Defender Reece Conca is in line for a senior recall and the Tigers might tackle the Roos with three tall forwards if Ben Griffiths gets through training.
“Conca played last week, whether he needs another game in the Reserves, we’ll once again make a decision,’’ Hardwick said.
“Griffo will train today and we’ll see how he pulls up. We’re starting to get some players back, which is exciting.
“We’re not sure what conditions Hobart will put out. I think it’s going to be windy. Every time I’ve played down there it has been six degrees, but brilliant sunshine. But the weather forecast doesn’t look great at this stage. We’ll probably take a number of players down there and go from that.’’
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brett-deledio-on-track-in-bid-to-play-in-richmonds-match-against-north-melbourne/story-fni5f9jb-1227341999439
