‘You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.’

The old American saying couldn’t be truer of Brett Deledio.

“I grew up in a small country town called Kyabram, which is north-central Victoria. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere but it’s a place I like to call home,” Deledio explains.

Most people know the classy Richmond midfielder for his deeds in the big city; the sight of him bursting through the middle of the MCG and spearing the ball low into the forward line is one that Tiger fans have come to know and love since his debut in 2005. But deep-down, Deledio is still a country boy.

“I always love getting back and just spending time away from the hustle and the bustle of the city.”

“I always love getting back and just spending time away from the hustle and the bustle of the city” – Brett Deledio.

When he’s not breaking opposition lines and tearing up the MCG turf in front of the Richmond faithful, he enjoys “flicking mud” with his dirt-bike and riding wakes on the river in Kyabram.

“I’m right into extreme sports; it’s probably not the best thing being a football player having those interests,” he admits.

“I used to love skateboarding; I spent a lot of time doing that when I was growing up. I love wakeboarding and getting out on the boat, spending time on the river.”

Most of all Deledio loves dirt-bikes.

“I wanted one when I was younger but we couldn’t afford one. We had a mate that forgot to pick his up – he had a little pee-wee 50 that we started hooning around on,” he remembers.

“That’s when I first learnt how to ride. When I got drafted I was able to afford one and bought my first big 250.”

While Deledio is constantly exploring ways to improve as a footballer, he’s content with simply being able to “muck around” on the bike.

“I don’t do any mad jumps or anything like that; I don’t profess to be a grouse rider or anything.”

He mightn’t ride like Steve McQueen, but for Deledio, time on the bike is still a great escape. The life of an AFL footballer is a demanding one, particularly for a high-profile former number one draft pick.  Mentally, it’s a great release.

“I just love being out there and the freedom of having time to not worry about anything else other than riding fast.”

Words by Sam McInerney