Adrian Deluca

Who is Adrian Deluca?

Adrian Deluca is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League.

Deluca played TAC Cup football for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2000. He was not drafted by an AFL club after the Under 18s, so he went to play for Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League. Deluca was generally played as a marking forward and back-up ruckman.

Deluca played three full seasons for the Borough between 2001 and 2003. He was then recruited to the AFL as a 21-year-old by the Carlton Football Club with its seventh round selection in the 2003 AFL National Draft. He made his debut for Carlton in Round 1, 2004 against Fremantle.

He was best-performing recruit of the 2004 season, winning the club's Best First Year Player award. His form dropped during the 2005 season due to injury. During 2006, he spent time in and out of the Carlton side, lining up frequently for the Northern Bullants, Carlton's VFL-affiliate.

Early in 2006, Deluca struggled with his marking, particularly overhead; this improved once Deluca began to wear gloves during games. He was a good kick, and accurate set shot.