RICHMOND'S defence faces a daunting task in Saturday's Grand Final, taking on the highest scoring forward line in the competition.
But Adelaide doesn't strike much fear in Nick Vlastuin, the courageous Tiger defender who has come into his own during the finals series.
"Like a lot of boys, I'm starting to hit pretty good form which is exciting, but it's probably just come down to the pressure up the field," Vlastuin said at Friday's Grand Final parade.
"It just makes our job as defenders that much easier. I would probably give the credit to the forwards and the mids and the pressure they put on."
The 23-year-old missed two months with a fractured shoulder blade, breaking back into the side in round 17.
He has not missed a game since, and was close to Richmond's best in its qualifying final win over Geelong.
The biggest strength in Vlastuin's game is his intercept marking. He is fearless in the air, keeping his eyes firmly on the ball with no regard to his own personal safety, but gave an insight into his seemingly cavalier style.
"I've been worried after I've taken off once or twice, but it's pretty comforting with Dave [Astbury] and "Rancey" [Alex Rance] back there. They're always calling me into it, and they're pretty good at keeping their opponent out.
"In a match against Geelong, a quick kick came out and big [Tom] Hawkins put a knee straight in my back. Dave kept apologising to me for a week afterwards.
"So, Dave and Rancey are awesome, they give me the confidence to look back."
Vlastuin is not the only Tiger defender at his best. Dylan Grimes and Astbury have not missed a game this season and are thriving.
They, along with All-Australian captain Alex Rance, second-year defender Nathan Broad and runners Brandon Ellis and Bachar Houli, face a formidable foe in Adelaide.
The Crows boast a forward line containing keys Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch, while smalls Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron are capable of causing defenders to not just have headaches, but migraines.
They averaged 110 points a match during the home-and-away season, while Richmond's defence (the third-stingiest in the competition) conceded on average just 77 points.
"We rely on all 18 on the ground to put on the pressure, so it does make it easier for us," Vlastuin said.
"It's almost a back 18 the way our system works, so it's good fun."
A keen surfer, Vlastuin missed good mate Tom Boyd's match-winning performance in last year's Grand Final, as he was on a plane to Indonesia for a surfing trip.
"I didn't know what happened till I landed. If I had my time again, I would have liked to watch it, just because he was in it, but I usually get too jealous of the players playing, so I don't usually watch it."
But this year, the appeals of the Indonesian surf will have to wait a few more weeks.
"There's plenty of time for surfing after the Grand Final. I definitely want to be here."
