Brett Deledio making the most of his second chance

BRETT Deledio was questioning whether he could cut it any more after last year’s preliminary final loss to his old side, Richmond, but he’s playing like the man who dominated for more than a decade at Punt Rd.

Brett Deledio at training this week. Picture: Getty Images

BRETT Deledio has had a brush with his football mortality and is playing like a man given a second chance.

When he walked off the MCG after last year’s preliminary final loss to his old side, Richmond, he questioned himself if he could cut it anymore in the big time.

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As he and the Giants prepare to take on the Brisbane Lions at Spotless Stadium, the 31-year-old is playing like the man who dominated for more than a decade at Punt Rd — 29 possessions, six tackles and two goals in last week’s draw with St Kilda was a clear reminder of what he can do.

“The biggest thing is I’m not taking it for granted,” Deledio said.

“I’m loving being out there and enjoying footy again, which was a far cry from where I was last year.

“I’m making sure I tick every box and continue to train hard, recovery-wise, physio-wise and give myself every chance to play that good footy. If it doesn’t happen and someone is too good for me on the day, or something else happens, I’ve done what I can.”

Brett Deledio was back to his best against the Saints last week. Picture: Michael Klein

Deledio missed the first 17 matches last season with a succession of calf injuries and then hurt an achilles tendon during the finals. It was a nightmare start with his new club and was made even more painful by his old team, the Tigers, winning the premiership.

Support from his family and his old teammate, now GWS football manager Wayne Campbell, got him through it and out the other side.

“I never gave up hope I could play the game, it was more I didn’t have the confidence in my body it could do what I wanted it to do,” Deledio said.

“I’m tracking the right way, but in the same breath I can’t get ahead of myself and have to continue to do the right things week-in and week-out to do the right things to play footy.”

There is also the novelty of being the old stager among a sea of rising talent at GWS.

“I’ve been watching these young boys and just trying to keep up, to be honest,” Deledio said. “They say, ‘back yourself in and get going’.

“It’s weird hearing that from the guys that are a helluva lot younger than you. But I’m loving it, just enjoying being out there and playing the game with them again, getting sore and doing all the things footy encompasses.”

Deledio after last year’s preliminary final loss to the Tigers. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There is also support from an older head in Ryan Griffen, who has experienced the identical double pain of struggling with injury at a new club and watching your former team go on to win a premiership without you.

“We’ve got a lot in common,” Deledio said.

“We trained together a lot over the summer. I understand his situation and he understands mine. I’m rapt he’s back playing as he is I am as well. He’ll get better and better, we’re too quick to forget how good a player he actually is and was back in the day.

“He’ll get back to that because he was showing it to us prior to Christmas and just after. Look out for him when he gets fully fit.”

Originally published as Brett Deledio making the most of his second chance