RICHMOND legends Tom Hafey, Francis Bourke and Tony Jewell have called on star half-back Brett Deledio to re-sign with the Tigers after negotiations stalled.

The Herald Sun reports that talks between Deledio- who is eligible to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season- and Richmond have been put on hold with the two-time best and fairest winner keen to play finals football.

Richmond's early season form could prove telling to Deledio's future.

Believed to be in the sights of Greater Western Sydney, Deledio could also be pursued by cashed-up powerhouses Geelong and Collingwood when free agency opens at the end of the season.

A string of Richmond greats have called on Deledio to stick with a Tigers team that have improved significantly under Damien Hardwick.

"I'm hoping he'll sign because he's a very important player," four-time premiership coach Tom Hafey told the Herald Sun.

"I'd say to him, 'You've done all the hard stuff with the teams that have had to struggle. And now we look like being a reasonable sort of team, it would be good if you could be there and want to further your football'.

"Sometimes a lot of these players go to other clubs and they regret it. It is a difficult one."

Premiership player Francis Bourke empathises with both the club and player as impending free agency gives players more power at the bargaining table.

"It's a difficult time for the administrators because it seems that maybe the negotiation advantage has changed in the players' favour," Bourke said.

"And you can't blame Brett for wanting to maximise his commercial value.

"I feel sorry for both parties. But I've never seen any sign or any lack of commitment by Brett towards the Richmond footy club, and he's been through some dark times. So I take my hat off to him on that score."

Coach of the 1980 premiership side Tony Jewell believes the Tigers are on the verge of success and would like to see Deledio enjoy it.

"He has put a lot of hard yards into the club and you would hope he'd want to see some sort of success for them after what they've been through - because there is a ray of sunshine there," Jewell said.