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BRETT Deledio finished his time under Damien Hardwick with a handshake and a beer, with the coach advising him to join Greater Western Sydney if he felt he had to leave the Tigers.
After 243 games for Richmond, including 137 under Hardwick, Deledio said he decided to seek a new home to reinvigorate his career and rediscover his love for the game.
There were a number of people who convinced him GWS was the right fit – including football manager Wayne Campbell and veteran forward Steve Johnson – with Hardwick also advising him to chase success with the Giants.
"He (Hardwick) has been really good throughout the whole thing and his initial reaction was 'I think you should go to GWS'," Deledio said.
"He just gave me advice on it and said he went through it as well when he left the Bombers.
"He was disappointed that it had come to this point and we hadn't got the success or the wins we wanted through this year or the finals the past three years as well.
"He completely understood that after 12 years I needed something new. We had a handshake and a beer and away we went."
Johnson, who joined GWS 12 months ago from Geelong, was a key factor in Deledio's move, telling him at a wedding that he should join the club.
"It started with him trying to take a hanger on me on the dance floor to him telling me that I should be up there," Deledio said.
"He's been fantastic since and on the phone telling me the nervous feelings will go away and I'll settle in pretty quick."
The pair look set to form a dynamic partnership in the Giants' forward line, with Deledio expecting to continue the attacking role he has played in recent seasons with the Tigers.
"It's a role I'm really excited by, playing alongside some really handy players in Stevie, Jeremy Cameron, big Jon Patton and the mosquito fleet that's down there," Deledio said.
"They're a super talented side and I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates.
"I've enjoyed watching them for the last couple of years because they play an exciting brand.
"I just hope I can play well enough to get into that side because they are so star-studded."
Deledio was long linked to Geelong and also met with the Western Bulldogs during the NAB AFL Trade Period with his future in the air.
The 29-year-old said a move interstate was ultimately the best way to reinvigorate his career.
"I started to lose, I wouldn't say passion but I'd started to lose motivation and the love of the game," he said.
"I wanted to reinvigorate myself and play for the love.
"I explored options of potentially Geelong, and the Bulldogs as well. Then I went up and saw Sydney through Wayne Campbell being a close friend of mine. They were the perfect fit in the end."
