Star Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio has been on a modified program throughout the pre-season, as he manages on-going issues with his Achilles tendon.
The 28-year-old veteran of 232 league games, however, is confident he’ll be raring to go for the Tigers’ 2016 opening round clash with Carlton on March 24.
“Once we get on top of them and the season starts, it’s a lot easier to maintain what I’ve got to do week to week,” Deledio told Channel Nine.
“I’d be surprised if I wasn’t ready to go at least by NAB 2.
“I hope so. It feels like we’ve been training forever.”
Deledio, who is entering his 12th season of AFL football, missed five games last year through injury – four of them in-a-row from Round 2-5.
Despite that, the dual Jack Dyer Medallist still managed to finish third in the Club’s 2015 Best and Fairest award.
He also gained selection in the All-Australian side for the second time in his league career.
