Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has revealed that Tiger star Brett Deledio would probably have missed this Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs through injury, had he not received a one-match ban from the AFL’s Match Review Panel.
Deledio was suspended for one week on a rough conduct charge arising from the opening moments of last Thursday night’s Round 1 match against Carlton.
Hardwick, however, declared that Deledio’s calf complaint most likely would have sidelined him for the Round 2 Bulldogs game.
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“Look, credit to the guy for putting his hand up to play (last week). Round 1 was important for us . . . it was great to get off to a good start,” Hardwick said.
“He probably got through three quarters and then it started to get a little bit sore.
“It would have been touch and go for this week.
“He was a little bit sore (going into Round 1), but most players at various stages are like that.
“We had a late fitness test . . . he put up his hand and said he was right to go, so we backed him in and to his credit he played three pretty good quarters for us after the initial report.
“It took him a little bit of time to regain his composure, but then after that I thought he was really important in the second and third quarters and managed to get the game on our terms. So from that point of view, he helped us get the win.”
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At this stage the expectation is that Deledio will be ready to resume playing the following week against Brisbane at the Gabba.
“We presume so. He’ll be doing everything possible . . . From our point of view he’ll be right for Round 3,” Hardwick said.
Hardwick affirmed that his players had “pulled up really well” from the opening round victory over Carlton.
“Obviously the longer recovery has been beneficial from that point of view, so our guys will be up and going,” he said.
“The guys are very diligent and incredibly professional these days on making sure they get up . . .”
