Coly draft Deledio for 60th reunion

By Rowan Frazer and Carl Chirgwin

May 28, 2025

Brett Deledio in action for the Giants in the 2019 finals. Photo by AAP Image/Dean Lewins. Photo by AAP

Coleambally Football Netball Club have gone above and beyond for their club’s 60th year reunion weekend, getting involved in the Carlton Draft and gaining AFL legend Brett Deledio for the June 14 game.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

First launched in 2022, ‘The Carlton Draft’ an initiative by beer brand Carlton Draught gives community footy clubs the ultimate opportunity, a dream chance to draft an ex-AFL legend.

Pulling their boots back on for special one-off match days, the legendary players help bring communities together to support local footy and leave the clubs thriving on and off the field.

With the expansion to NSW for the first time, the Blues registered and were offered the second pick of five.

Pick one was from Beaufort, who selected Finley’s own Tom Hawkins.

Other players in the mix were Matthew Pavlich, Travis Cloke and Will Schofield.

Deledio was an AFL legend, and was the number one AFL draft pick in a draft with Lance Franklin.

Over his 15-year playing career he played 275 games and kicked 197 goals. He played 243 games with Richmond, and 32 games (including six finals) with GWS.

He was an AFL Rising Star winner, a two-time All-Australian, a two-time, Richmond best and fairest and is a Richmond life member.

The 38 year-old from Kyabram was a gun midfielder, retiring six years ago.

The reunion weekend game will be played against The Rock Yerong Creek, in round 10 of the Farrer League.

Coleambally Football Netball Club president Justin Buchanan said it was Tom Mannes who got Coly involved in the draft.

“We’re very excited to have him. He’s fit, and the boys should look after him,” Buchanan said.

“The boys and the entire club are just hoping he stays around and mingles with the crowd, outside of that, we’re not expecting too much else from him.”

Drafting Deledio adds some extra fanfare and ties in well with the club’s reunion weekend, Buchanan said.

“We’ve got a long list of things on for the reunion weekend, including old players and coaches coming across, a special guernsey jumper auction, everyone should have a good time.

“In particular, there’s a set of jumpers on auction where older and younger players and people connected to them will bid for the same jumper, similar to our 50-year reunion as well as a heritage Demons jumper up for grabs.

“There’ll be plenty of tucker and past coaches speaking on the night.”

The draft program also means the club will be granted 15 cartons of Carlton Draught, and a barman, donated to the club for the night.

“Deledio might pull in a few different people. We’re hoping he might also bring a few mates to come and have a watch.

“A few blokes will be keen to chew his ear off, but our aim also is to get him to spend half an hour with the juniors and hopefully just walk around through the crowd after the game.”

The former AFL player is currently a football commentator with ABC Sport and Clubby Sports, while also still very much involved in AFL circles through player management space.

However, Buchanan said he hasn’t lost touch with local football and was willing to work with Blues coach Tom Groves.

“On the Carlton Draft night, he showed he’s a super nice fella and was really good to us.”

“We’ll talk through what role he’ll play on field.

“In the next two weeks we’ll think it through and sort that out.”

Buchanan said it’s hoped up to 1000 people will attend the reunion weekend, with games starting about 9am.

At half-time of the seniors' football, the club will have the AusKick play and Old Boys Longest Kick take place.

There will be heritage Demons guernseys and memorabilia displays at the club and commemorative merchandise for sale, including a retro Coly Corduroy Cap, and a 120-page reunion book of articles, honour boards, history and photos.

The formal reunion event will be held at the Coly Club following the game. Tickets will be sold at the door, for $30.

•••