Brett Deledio Biography

Richmond will rest superstars Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio and Ben Cousins from Friday's NAB Challenge match against St Kilda.

Richmond will recall Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Ben Cousins for Friday night's final warm-up.

Bulldog Liam Picken's match-day report for striking Brett Deledio has been dismissed.

Brett Deledio looked ready to explode as Liam Picken shoved him on the edge of the centre square throughout Friday night.

For much of the game, Picken delivered short, sharp forearm jolts - not enough to hurt or injure, but definitely enough to infuriate - and knocked one of the game's top playmakers off balance.

"I don't really notice it during the game. I just try to concentrate on the match. I don't worry about the niggle of games too much," Picken said.

"It happens in games, and opponents give it back to you. And that's fair enough.

"All the boys help me out during the game, which is great for me. I just want to keep playing my role so I can stay in the team, and hopefully we can get better.

"The ball bounced my way. It was just good to shut down whoever I had to."

Brett Deledio has admitted he doesn't deserve any "pats on the back" for his form this season.

On the eve of his 100th AFL game this Sunday against North Melbourne, Deledio said he was aware his consistency remained an issue.

"I am still inconsistent, I know that, I don't expect to get any pats on the back, I haven't done anything this year," Deledio said.

"The side has been a bit inconsistent, or very inconsistent, as well, it's something we're improving on and I'm trying to improve on myself.

"I am trying to take as many steps forward as I can every week. As a team we're trying to improve and I'm doing the same myself."

Brett Deledio says he 'absolutely' wants Richmond to offer Ben Cousins a new contract for 2010.

"Ben's been fantastic. I can't speak highly enough of him," Deledio said.

"I never realised how much of a team player Ben was until you witness it first-hand.

"I haven't seen anyone drive as much to help out another teammate as he has, and to see his work rate on game day is phenomenal."

Jack Dyer Medallist Brett Deledio was about to be dropped, Richmond coach Jade Rawlings has revealed.

"We put it pretty squarely to him before the Crows game up on the Gold Coast that he needed to lift in a couple of areas," Rawlings said.

"He's been able to address the areas - not just the contested possessions - of what we think will make him a better leader, a better player and help this footy club move forward."

Tiger Brett Deledio says he was nearly banished to the VFL by caretaker coach Jade Rawlings following his indifferent approach to his footy.

"I had weaknesses that needed addressing and if I didn't address them I would have been representing Coburg. I just wasn't being accountable," he said.

"Jade said if I wasn't prepared to do it, I would be out of the side, and I very nearly was.

"I guess it was the kick up the arse I needed. It has come pretty easy, and I hadn't really been told off about that sort of thing, or hadn't been threatened with representing Coburg, not that playing there would be a bad thing, by the way.

"But it really would have dinted the pride. It was the best thing for me.

"I am not saying I have got it nailed. I have got plenty of things to work on, but for Jade to be honest, and the leadership group to be honest with me, was fantastic."

Richmond best and fairest winner Brett Deledio will stay a Tiger until the end of 2012.

"Brett is an integral part of the future of our club and we are excited that he has committed to Richmond through to the end of 2012," Richmond's general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

"Brett has developed both as a player and as a leader at Richmond in recent times and we look forward to seeing his potential grow over the coming years."

Midfielder Brett Deledio has beaten Daniel Jackson and skipper Chris Newman to win his second successive Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond's best and fairest.

Deledio becomes the youngest back-to-back winner at the club since Kevin Bartlett in 1967-68 and the youngest in the AFL since Michael Voss at Brisbane in 1995-96.