Deluca can't do more for another AFL chanceSaturday, May 18, 2019 - 8:25 AM - by Chris Pike

HE is now a four-time WAFL premiership player, a Simpson Medallist and a proven consistently outstanding performer so Josh Deluca can't do any more to deserve another AFL chance but he is just focusing on continuing to ply his trade with the undefeated Subiaco.

Deluca's journey began as a teenager when he was a lively small forward in Subiaco's 2014 premiership triumph which saw him land on Fremantle's AFL list and led to him playing in the 2016 and 2017 WAFL premierships at Peel Thunder.

He would play four AFL games for Fremantle in 2017 but during his three years at the Dockers, he turned himself from that dangerous small forward into a tough and consistent on-baller who was equally adept at winning the ball in close and getting out in space and being damaging.

It was considered somewhat a surprised when Deluca didn’t remain at Fremantle beyond 2017 or indeed wasn’t given another opportunity by a rival AFL club, but that has been to Subiaco's great benefit.

Deluca had an outstanding season in 2018 in Subiaco's midfield alongside the likes of Kyal Horsley and Chris Phelan with Zac Clarke in the ruck as the Lions went through the season undefeated as he became a four-time premiership star.

Now the left-footer has started 2019 in just as good, if not better, form in Subiaco's midfield over the opening five games where he has averaged 27.2 disposals a game and kicked three games.

That meant he was a lock to be selected in last Sunday's KIA WAFL State Game against the SANFL at Optus Stadium. He produced a tremendous performance again made up of 29 possessions, seven tackles and a goal.

That saw Deluca win the Simpson Medal and with the AFL mid-season draft coming up, possibly put his name further up in the spotlight to receive another opportunity at the top level that it's tough to argue against him deserving immensely.

As for the State Game, despite the result not going the favour of the WAFL State Team, Deluca was grateful to be part of the whole experience and was proud to receive the Simpson Medal after being voted the best afield for Western Australia.

"I really enjoyed it. It was obviously disappointing the loss, but I learned a lot from it and it's another level to play at," Deluca told 91.3 SportFM.

"It's a lot quicker and the time and space you have is a lot less. But it was just great to play with so many good players and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I'll take a lot out of it.

"I thought I played OK but I just wasn’t expecting to win the medal. To be honest at the time I thought there was only one medal between South Australia and WA, and I assumed a South Australian would have won it. 

"I didn’t realise the Simpson was purely just a WA award. Then I thought we had some really good other players like Ben Sokol, Kyal Horsley and even Schloithe and some others. I was a bit surprised but I'm very grateful."

The growth in the physical nature and the game style of Deluca from that 2014 premiership as a forward at Subiaco to the player that won the Simpson Medal on Sunday as a tough, gritty and damaging midfielder has been a remarkable transition to follow.

He himself feels he has continued to grow even the past 18 months since returning to Subiaco after his time at Fremantle, and if he had to sell himself to any AFL clubs, he feels his versatility is a big plus.

"I think I have definitely grown as a player the last season and-a-half. I think I have just become a lot more confident in myself and I've worked on a couple of things that were identified as an issue in leaving Freo. I think I definitely have improved in a number of areas," Deluca said.

"I'd like to think I'm a very contested player who can win a lot of my own, and I can play inside, outside and forward. I am a very team-oriented player so that's how I would sum myself up if anyone wanted to know what I can offer as a player."

Deluca thrived under the coaching of Jarrad Schofield at Subiaco last year and before that Cam Shepherd at Peel Thunder, but he already couldn’t be more impressed with what new Lions coach Beau Wardman is offering the undefeated team in 2019.

"I think Beau has been fantastic and all the boys have really bought into what he's about. He obviously has a different style to Jarrad Schofield but every coach is different and I really enjoy having him there," Deluca said. 

"In terms of my role, it's pretty similar to be honest. I was swinging forward a bit more last year but that was sort of circumstantial to when we needed it so there might be times this year still where it's the same. 

"But it's relatively similar and to be honest I can't say one bad thing about Beau, I really enjoying having him in charge and I'm learning a lot from him. He's the perfect man for the job."