Brett Deledio and Aaron Naughton injuries: Elimination final takes its toll

Tom Naghten

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Brett Deledio and Aaron Naughton injuries: Elimination final takes its toll image

GWS veteran Brett Deledio may have played his last game after again injuring his calf in Saturday's 58-point win over the Bulldogs.

The Giants won through to a semi final next week against either Brisbane or Richmond, but the 32-year-old is unlikely to feature.

Having already announced his retirement last month , Deledio made a surprise return from a calf injury to feature in Saturday's qualifying final at Giants Stadium.

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And while his teammates celebrated a big win and the fact their season was still alive, Deledio was left in tears after suffering yet another injury.


Incredibly, it was later revealed the strain occured in the first quarter, though Deledio managed to play through the pain, eventually spending 63 per cent of the time on the ground.

Speaking after the match, Giants coach Leon Cameron didn't completely put a line through the veteran.


Having barely missed a match in 12 seasons at Richmond, 'Lids' has only played 32 in three seasons at GWS, with persistent calf problems plaguing his time at the club.

If he doesn't make it back, Deledio will farewell the game after 275 matches in which was twice named All Australian and claimed two best and fairests at the Tigers.

Cameron also discussed star midfielder Stephen Coniglio who is on the comeback trail from a knee injury.

Coniglio hasn't played since round 17, with Cameron ruling him out of next week's final, though leaving the door open for a prelim return should they qualify.

There is also concern for Bulldog gun at the other end of his career, with Aaron Naughton suffering a nasty looking knee injury in the third term.

The key forward landed awkwardly after a marking contest, with his left knee hyperextending


While the Dogs' season is now over, bad news for Naughton could make a significant dent in his 2020 campaign.

The 19-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakout year in which he leads the competition in contested marks, will be nervously awaiting the results of scans on Sunday.

Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.