Triple Richmond premiership star defender Nick Vlastuin is in AFL career-best form at the start of the 2024 season.
After four games, Vlastuin is averaging 22.2 disposals, 8.0 marks, 7.8 rebound-50s, 3.2 score involvements, 10.8 intercepts and 511.2 metres gained per match.
He was superb for the Tigers in last Sunday’s stirring five-point win against Sydney at the MCG with 29 disposals, a game-high 13 marks, game-high eight rebound-50s, three inside-50s, seven score involvements, a game-high and equal AFL career-high 15 intercepts and 577 metres gained.
The 29-year-old veteran of 215 games has not gained selection in the All-Australian team throughout his illustrious AFL career, but Richmond great Matthew Richardson believes that could well change in 2024.
“If he continues this form, he’s got to finally get some recognition at the end of the year,” Richardson said on this week’s episode of the Club’s podcast Talking Tigers.
“He’s defending, he’s winning contested intercept marks, he’s reading the play so well, he’s using the footy well. And I was rapt to hear “Ooze” (Richmond coach Adem Yze) say that he’s setting up the stoppages behind the ball . . .
“That’s an important role that he’s playing.
“So, he’s doing all that, and playing the way he is.
“We need our leaders playing well with so many young players in the team.”
