Brett Deledio trade a shrewd deal even though Richmond may pay ultimate price, writes Jon Ralph

FUNNY as it may sound, Richmond made a smart decision to trade Brett Deledio even though it could pay the ultimate price when he plays his first game against his old club, writes JON RALPH.

Dustin Martin at Richmond training. Picture: AAP

IT is the very definition of “Richmondy”.

Watching on aghast as a player you just traded beats you in a preliminary final — while you are still paying him $300,000 a season.

Brett Deledio’s part in Saturday night’s preliminary final is just one of the many juicy storylines that will flow through this game.

By almost any measure Richmond nailed the deal, extracting maximum compensation for a 29-year-old with 12 years and 243 games on the clock.

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When he asked for a trade last year, Geelong was his preferred home but didn’t have the cash or early picks.

So he went to GWS for a first and third-round pick in this year’s draft.

Then Richmond secured Josh Caddy after the Geelong half forward’s name was flushed out in the initial Deledio discussions.

Brett Deledio gets ready for Saturday’s preliminary final against his former club.e. Picture. Phil Hillyard

If they can secure Josh Schache — the 2015 No.2 pick — for a first-round pick from a player taken 13 years ago, it is the ultimate trade deal.

And yet ...

In the blink of an eye Deledio can turn that trade equation on its head as he plays his first game against his old club.

Richmond, of course, could make the deal with GWS work only if they paid a significant chunk of his salary to allow the Giants to squeeze him under their cap.

The Giants already have benefited from Collingwood paying part of Heath Shaw’s salary and the Western Bulldogs paying for Ryan Griffen.

Richmond can’t lose from this deal ... unless repurposed halfback Deledio finds a way to beat them on Saturday.

The Dogs paid a massive chunk of Griffen’s 2015 salary, but veteran list manager Chris Pelchen said the arrangement was still rare in AFL circles.

“It is extremely rare for clubs to pay contracts of players like that,” he said.

“I can’t recall a player playing in a final against their former club in this circumstance, certainly a preliminary final.

“But I think you will see more instances of it as clubs manoeuvre their salary cap as much as their list.

Richmond picked up Josh Caddy in last year’s trade period after his name came up in the initial Brett Deledio discussion. Picture: Michael Klein

“Clubs have only judged the success of trades on the player or pick swapped.

“But we need to consider what sort of relief it can give a club with their salary cap position.”

He said if the Tigers were able to secure Schache with that first-rounder — tied to the Cats’ finishing position — it would be a spectacular deal.

“It would be extremely well done — this could ultimately be a win-win for both clubs,’’ Pelchen said.

“Long term it will be a win for Richmond, so neither club has done the wrong thing, but Richmond has done a better thing.”

Regardless of the salary equation, Deledio’s manager, Anthony McConville, said his story this year was a triumph for perseverance.

For as long as he battled separate calf injuries, GWS’s investment this year — he has two more years and a clause for a third — seemed a waste.

“He is a true professional. It’s an amazing achievement given the issues he has had with his body to be able to get where he is at the moment,” McConville said.

The Bulldogs paid most of Ryan Griffen’s 2015 salary at the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

“He has been very frustrated this year and last year, but he has definitely passed those issues with his calf.

“They have got that right and I expect Brett to be a really valuable contributor not only this year but for the next few years.”

McConville said Deledio felt he needed a change after 12 years at Richmond, with Geelong always the likely destination.

“Geelong had shown interest in Brett, but as mentioned at the time they didn’t have much cap space or a pick available.

“Brett has mentioned he was up with Stevie J at a wedding and there were overtures there, and then behind the scenes Wayne Campbell had contact.

“When it was definite Geelong weren’t going to be able to make the deal, we looked at the opportunities ... it turns out GWS was great with their presentation to Brett and a deal was struck.”