Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has likened talented first-year Tiger Nick Vlastuin to a league veteran.

Vlastuin had a major impact in his debut season of AFL football with the Tigers in 2013, playing 18 games, averaging 16.3 disposals per match, and finishing sixth in the competition’s prestigious Rising Star award.

Apart from the raw numbers, it was the mature, professional way the 19-year-old went about his football that was so impressive.

“It’s like he’s played 100 games already,” Hardwick said.

“We love his decision-making, he’s composed with the ball and, more importantly, wins the ball, which is something a lot of players struggle to do, especially when they first come into the system.  So, we’re really pleased with what he brought to the table . . .

“He’s got to get a little bit more outside ball.  Obviously, he wins his own ball, but we’d like him to get some ball on the outside because he actually makes really good decisions with it.

“He’s another young guy that Francis (Jackson) has brought to the Club with good leadership qualities.  He’s a leader in his own right through the way he plays and, hopefully, he pushes into the midfield early next year.”