Wayne Deledio has seen the work Brett put into his AFL career, and is extremely proud of his son’s latest honour.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Brett Deledio’s father, Wayne, is in a unique position to appreciate his son’s recent induction to Richmond Football Club’s Hall of Fame.
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Wayne is a former Carlton Football Club player himself, and he and Brett have clocked up an impressive amount of time on the field.
“My son and myself played 276 games between us,” Wayne said, tongue in cheek.
“He played 275, and I played one.”
Jokes aside, Wayne said his experience playing in the then VFL (now AFL) helped him to appreciate what an achievement it was for Brett to make the Hall of Fame.
On Saturday, August 23, Brett and his family were invited to a president’s function at the Melbourne Cricket Club, where his induction was formally announced.
Wayne and Judy Deledio, Sheridan and Billy Barnes, and Matt, Hannah, Katie and Brett Deledio at the MCC event.
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About one month earlier, Brett gave his father the tip-off he had met the criteria for joining the Hall of Fame, which accounts for awards and games played.
For Brett, Wayne said joining the likes of fellow Hall of Famers Matthew Richardson and Wayne Campbell had made him “extremely proud”.
Both former Tigers players helped to mentor Brett, helping to steer him clear of the trappings that can come with going pro.
Naturally, leaving Kyabram High School and being catapulted into Richmond as the number one draft pick in 2004 was a change of pace for the then 17-year-old.
With your own fans booing you after a tough game, relentless media coverage, and newfound wealth, Wayne said it could be easy to succumb to the pressures.
“A lot of the public just think it’s a glorious lifestyle and you get paid lots of money, but they don’t understand how much effort, self-discipline and mental strength is needed,” he said.
“You can have a lot of ability, but you still mightn’t do any good at AFL. It’s far more than just ability.”
Brett was able to enjoy a fruitful 15-year career, mostly with the Tigers, and had earned a raft of awards before this latest one.
He has continued his involvement in football, working as a player manager for Mac’s Sports, calling matches for ABC Radio, and co-hosting the Footy & Friends podcast.
Growing up as a supporter of his dad’s former team, Brett made the switch to supporting Richmond after being drafted, as did his family — at least temporarily.
“Once you’ve been drafted into a club, you’re wholeheartedly into it, and we backed him wholeheartedly when he was at Richmond,” Wayne said.
“I still like to see Richmond win, of course, just not against Carlton.”
Outside of work, Brett has three children with his wife, Katie, and was enjoying time in the bush with friends last week before heading on holidays overseas.
Wayne said his family couldn’t be happier to see his name immortalised in Richmond’s Hall of Fame.
“To be honest, I’m just absolutely chuffed for him because I know how much effort it took and how hard it was,” he said.
“He put a lot of effort in, and both my wife, Judy, and myself are extremely proud of him, as are his brothers and sisters.
“It’s just a wonderful thing to do, and it’s there for ever.”
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