Despite achieving the ultimate success of a premiership three times, defender Nick Vlastuin reaffirms that playing in September is at the forefront of his mind when entering every season.
Now, in the mature stages of his career, he has placed the onus on the new blood of talent to drive the Tigers forward for years to come.
“I always hate watching Grand Final day, just out of jealousy,” Vlastuin told Richmond Media.
“We know what they are in for and what the next couple of weeks look like after a Grand Final win.
“A lot of jealousy watching them, and hopefully it burns a bit for our young boys and everyone who hasn’t made it before.
“Hopefully that adds a little drive for our pre-season next year.”
The 31-year-old lauded the young group for improving to a total of five wins this season, but admits that more work needs to be done in order to restore the Club to finals footy.
“I think we just got to keep improving every year,” Vlastuin said.
“Footy doesn’t wait for anyone. We aren’t just guaranteed successes.
“We actually have to work hard and really go after it, so hopefully all the young boys don’t think that it is just going to happen, and they have to really work for it.
“Hopefully, with a few older boys around, we can show them the way, but it’s really up to them in how successful we are going to be.”
When assessing the season, Vlastuin took confidence in seeing the rapid growth displayed by the first and second year Tigers, who competed hard for selection.
Nine debutants pulled on the Richmond jumper, all getting a taste of what it is like to play under the bright lights.
“The 2025 season was one of growth,” Vlastuin said.
“I think where we came from last year and ended this year was pretty successful.
“From only getting two wins last year and then losing a lot of our good players this year, we got a lot of games into our young boys and matched it with the good sides on occasions.
“It’s fun playing alongside the younger fellas, they are enthusiastic and even when they make mistakes they move on pretty quickly because they are just rapt to be out there.
“During the week, it’s a lot about teaching them, and then on game day, you kind of just let them go, they can’t be focusing on too much.”
Fresh off his 13th season at the Swinburne Centre, Vlastuin achieved career-best form, averaging a commanding 19 disposals, 7.5 intercept marks with 374 meters gained.
A season of quiet, reliable dominance from the veteran Tiger.
His ability to defend off half-back this year earned him a second career selection in the All-Australian squad, an accolade he credited to the strong bond forged among the back-six.
“Down in the backline, we had a pretty solid unit. We were probably the most experienced line,” Vlastuin said.
“We work pretty well together and can all bounce off each other.
“I managed to take a few more kick-ins this year, so I got my average disposals up, so I think that is what they were looking at.”
In Round 18, Vlastuin reached his 250-game milestone during the side's win over Essendon, a night made extra special by draftee Taj Hotton’s debut.
“250 (games) was pretty cool to bring up, I had all my family and friends there, and then Taj’s first game makes it special,” Vlastuin said.
“It was a very scrappy game, but we got the four points and got to sing the song after, so that is all that counts.
“It’s something I will look back on after my career is done and be pretty proud of reaching 250.”
Unfortunately, Vlastuin suffered a broken ankle in the early stages of the side's Round 23 clash with North Melbourne, ending his season.
Nonetheless, he remains positive in getting himself back on track for a big pre-season, having successfully undergone surgery.
“I almost went the whole year, but I broke my ankle in the second-to-last game,” Vlastuin said.
“The surgery after the first couple of days was pretty hell. They did my syndol, my medial and fractured my fibula, so I kind of did the whole lot.
“I’ll be in a moon boot for eight to 10 weeks and then hopefully start to jog in pre-season around December.
“My off-season looks a bit different this year. I usually get a surf trip in or something, but I’ll just be hanging around Melbourne because I can’t really go anywhere.
“So, it looks a bit different, but it is probably perfect timing footy wise because I’m not going to miss any more games than one, hopefully.”
