Brett Deledio says trade speculation is all ‘noise’

RICHMOND star Brett Deledio says his manager is taking calls from rival clubs but trade speculation is just “noise”.

Richmond star Brett Deledio. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

RICHMOND star Brett Deledio says his manager is taking calls from rival clubs but trade speculation is just “noise”.

Deledio has been linked to several clubs in the wake of the Tigers’ eight-win season, with Geelong the latest team rumoured to be making a play for his services.

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“I think he would be the player who leaves Richmond and from what I heard he’s warming more and more to that idea,” former Essendon champion Tim Watson said on SEN this morning.

Richmond great Matthew Richardson last night questioned why the club hadn’t done more to quash rumours about Deledio, who has a year to run on a five-year contract.

“I just wonder whether Lids is not feeling the love from Richmond,” Richardson said on 3AW.

“If you’ve got a year in your contract I guess you’d be waiting for your club to come out and categorically say that you’re wanted.”

Brett Deledio is at the centre of trade speculation. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

But Deledio said he had just returned from a Queensland holiday and was happy to miss all the trade talk.

“I think Matt’s just sticking up for one of his mates,” he said.

“I can understand why the club hasn’t because I am contracted and there’s bigger things that are going on in the club at the moment that probably take precedence.”

Deledio said on RSN radio he was “pretty sure” his manager would be telling rival clubs that he wasn’t going anywhere.

“He has certainly said all this noise that’s been created by the media, people are ringing up and seeing if there’s any truth in it, but of course he’s knocking them all on the head.

“Look, it is all noise and that’s all it is. There’s not much more I can say, I’ve been pretty emphatic ... right throughout the year.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick talks with Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Deledio said he had spoken to ruckman Ivan Maric yesterday about his future. Maric, who will be 31 in January, played just three games for the Tigers in 2016 and has attracted interest from Collingwood.

“He’s got that decision to make,” Deledio said.

“He’s been offered a position at Richmond but he also wants to make sure he’s a chance to play some senior footy.

“What I love about Ivvy is he’s still got that fight and desire to perform at the highest level, and he wants to still give it everything he’s got to play with Richmond going forward.”

Deledio said his calf had “never felt better”.

“I’m feeling great, I don’t need any surgery or anything like that. I’m itching to be back out there.”