Brett Deledio takes pay cut to join GWS Giants in search of premiership
RICHMOND star Brett Deledio has taken a pay cut to chase a flag with the GWS Giants, who offloaded a remarkable nine players during the trade period.
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RICHMOND star Brett Deledio has taken a pay cut to chase a flag with the GWS Giants.
The last-minute deal capped a whirlwind trade period for the Giants, who offloaded a remarkable nine players.
Deledio has signed a three-year deal of which the Tigers will pay $200,000 per year. The 29-year-old will add even more depth the GWS midfield and work across half-forward.
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He brings the Giants’ tally of former No.1 draft picks to four, joining Tom Scully, Jonathon Patton and Lachie Whitfield.
The trade was one of the last completed before the deadline and also involved the trading away of the Giants’ first and third-round picks at next year’s draft.
Deledio spent 12 seasons at Punt Road, winning the Jack Dyer Medal (2008 and ’09) and All-Australian honours twice (2012 and ’15).
GWS football manager Wayne Campbell played alongside Deledio in his debut season in 2005.
“Attracting Brett to the club was a whole of strategy,” Campbell said.
“David Matthew was involved, Leon Cameron was involved and a couple of players and I think we demonstrated a common purpose. Brett is one of the competition’s elite players and has shown over a long period of time an ability to play a variety of which we think will complement our list well.”
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Richmond list boss Dan Richardson said the loss of Deledio, who had earlier picked Geelong as his preferred home, was a “byproduct of free agency”.
“He (Deledio) seemed ready for a fresh start and in the end, to get a first for next year and third-round pick next year from GWS, was a fair deal,” Richardson said.
Carlton picked up the lion’s share of departing Giants in Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Rhys Palmer.
Cam McCarthy (Fremantle), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Paul Ahern (North Melbourne), Patrick McKenna (Melbourne), James Stewart (Essendon) and Will Hoskin-Elliot (Collingwood) also found new homes.
“Hopefully we’ve treated the players going out with respect,” Campbell said. “We can only wish them the best.”
The Giants are now in great shape heading into the draft. They have pick two and a shot at either Hugh McCluggage or Andrew McGrath.
They also have picks 15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59 and 60 to use on academy talents Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Harrison Macreadie.
The Swans improved their position in the draft, swapping picks 14, 17 and 31 with Port Adelaide for picks nine and 19. It will be the best draft position Sydney have been in since 2009.
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Originally published as Brett Deledio takes pay cut to join GWS Giants in search of premiership
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