Richmond coach Adem Yze has paid a glowing tribute to star Tiger defender Nick Vlastuin and pushed the case for him to win an inaugural All-Australian blazer this year.

Vlastuin again was a standout for the Tigers in their 84-point loss to Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Saturday.

He did everything in his power to stem the tide in the team’s backline with the constant supply of ball into the Suns’ forward line throughout the four quarters.

The 31-year-old veteran of 253 AFL games finished the match with 20 disposals, eight contested possessions, an equal team-high eight marks, team-high 11 intercepts, equal team-high five rebound-50s, three score involvements, four tackles and 324 metres gained.

Vlastuin has now moved into first place for the most intercepts in the competition this season (157) ahead of Adelaide’s Josh Worrell (155).

He is averaging 7.8 intercepts per match, along with 20.0 disposals, 6.3 contested possessions, 6.3 marks, 5.7 rebound-50s and 386.4 metres gained.

“He should be a contender for All-Australian every season because he’s so consistent. He plays the right way. The way he can read the footy sets up our whole defence,” Yze said in his post-match media conference.

“This season he’s been outstanding, and his numbers are showing that. So, hopefully he does get rewarded with that (All-Australian selection) at the end of the season.

“But within our four walls he gets rewarded every week and highlighted for doing so. 

“He’s an amazing leader of our footy club, and he’s one of the reasons why our younger boys are developing as quick as they are, from his guidance and what he’s doing during the week as well, not only just on the field. It’s the things he’s doing off the field. 

“It’s something, as a coach, I’m really grateful for.”