Deledio sees light after injury shadows

BRETT Deledio says he endured some dark days and feared he would not play an AFL match this season.

But the former Richmond star will play his first senior match for Greater Western Sydney on Saturday against Melbourne in Canberra after suffering recurring calf issues.

“When I was coming back and joining the group for a short warm-up and then did my running and hurt my calf again, thoughts certainly did go through my head that I was better off just to cool my heels for the rest of the year and get it right,” Deledio said yesterday.

“A lot of needling and sand work and just firing up my glutes and it’s been working really well, so fingers crossed it stays that way and onwards and upwards.”

He has not played since Round 17 last year and said he suffered setbacks, including “a little nick in both calves something like eight or nine times”.

“When they are little ones you probably try to get the ball rolling a little bit too quickly and hence you have another setback.” he said.

“I’m feeling fresh and I’ll just try to provide as much energy as I can and keep the boys going and on track.”

With Jeremy Cameron injured and Toby Greene suspended, Deledio will spend time up forward in addition to the midfield.

“I think people look at the skill side of it with Brett, but he’s a very good one-on-one player,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

“Melbourne are a very good contested team, they defend really well, put enormous pressure on you, so we feel as though his ability to win oneon-ones is going to be crucial.”

Cameron expects veteran forward Steve Johnson to put his hand up after missing last week with knee soreness. AAP