Big Task for Cats' Rookie Ruckman

SPORT llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ntnews.com.au Counting down NT’s best Selwood commits to Cats Hunt backs Folau to fire FROM the time Reuben Cooper first pulled on a shirt JOEL Selwood has committed his future to Geelong ADVICE is on hand for Israel Folau from fellow AFL for South Melbourne in 1969 to Cyril ‘Junior Boy’ Rioli after signing a new five-year deal yesterday. The convert Karmichael Hunt. But code-hopper Hunt winning a premiership in his first year, Territorians 23-year-old skipper has been deep in discussions reckons Folau would have already learnt plenty from have made their presence felt on Australian football’s with the Cats throughout the past year. The Cats are his good mate’s 2011 baptism of fire. ‘‘I think he biggest stage. expected to announce the deal, which will keep knows what to expect,’’ Hunt said. ‘‘I am pretty sure Beginning this Friday, NT News football writer GREY Selwood in blue and white hoops until 2017, today. he kept a close eye on my situation last year so I don’t MORRIS will count down the top 25 Territorians who The five-year deal shows the faith Geelong has in think he needs any extra advice on what to expect. I have played in the AFL/VFL. Selwood, with the last Cat to get a deal of that length am there for him but he has such a great team of The NT’s top 25 AFL/VFL players — Only in your NT News being Gary Ablett Sr in 1987. coaches down there. And he will get better.’’ Big task for Cats’ Deledio rookie ruckman GEELONG coach Chris stays Scott is poised to hand sur- prise recruit Orren Stephen- son one of the AFL’s greatest challenges when the Cats meet Fremantle on PUB: Saturday night. The 29-year-old father-of- three — who the reigning premiers plucked from the NT NEWS true to VFL in November’s nat- ional draft — is expected to make his AFL debut against the Dockers, and Aaron Sandilands, at Patersons Stadium in Perth. A combination of injuries DATE: Tigers and the retirement of triple- premiership star Territor- ian Brad Ottens have left FOOTBALL Deledio described Hard- 20-gamer Trent West and 28-MAR-2012 wick as a ‘‘fantastic coach’’. the untried Stephenson as RICHMOND star Brett ‘‘I’ve got a strong respect the Cats’ only fit ruckmen. Deledio says he waited until for him,’’ he said. ‘‘I know you’re not exactly coach Damien Hardwick ‘‘I know what’s expected falling over yourself with signed a new deal with the from me week in and week excitement at the prospect Tigers before locking in his out. I’m rapt to be playing of those guys going up own long-term extension. under him for another couple against Aaron Sandilands,’’ Deledio has agreed to a new of years.’’ Scott said. five-year contract worth Deledio will return to the ‘‘That probably gives you PAGE: about $3 million that will Richmond midfield in tomor- some sort of pointer as to keep the 24-year-old at the row night’s blockbuster the way we’re probably go- club until at least the end of against Carlton. ing to go. the 2017 season. Hardwick has needed the ‘‘But it’s no secret we’re a 50 It ended speculation he silky-skilled utility to mostly little bit thin, we’ve gone could join new club Greater play off half-back in the last from chocolates to boiled lol- COLOR: Western Sydney on a couple of years. lies in some respects with megabucks deal or take ad- But the recruitment before our ruckmen.’’ vantage of free agency when the 2011 season of Bachar The Cats’ other ruckmen it is introduced by the AFL Houli and the recent drafting Nathan Vardy (hip) and later this year. of Steven Morris and Dawson Simpson (back) are The announcement came a Brandon Ellis have freed up nowhere near playing. C week after Hardwick ac- Deledio to move back into the Simpson will not be back cepted a two-year extension engine room alongside fellow until mid-season, while it is M on his deal with Richmond. young guns Trent Cotchin uncertain whether Vardy ‘‘Absolutely I wanted to and Dustin Martin. will play this year. Y know what was going on with They will square off again- ‘‘My preference is not to K ‘Dimma’ first,’’ Deledio told st Blues’ prime movers Chris talk about Nathan Vardy Melbourne radio. ‘‘To have Judd, Marc Murphy and until at least the last third of him signed up was fantastic Bryce Gibbs in what shapes the season because it’s just news and only made my as a mouth-watering clash at not even a possibility before choice a lot easier really.’’ the MCG. Brett Deledio has signed with the Tigers until the end of 2017 Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN that,’’ Scott said. 50 NT NEWS. Wednesday, March 28, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au.

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