Nick Vlastuin further enhanced his reputation as one of the AFL competition’s best defenders with a superb performance in Richmond’s double-chance clinching victory over Brisbane at the MCG yesterday.

Vlastuin finished the match with 19 disposals, nine contested possessions, nine marks, seven rebound-50s, 13 intercepts, five score involvements and was as solid as a brick wall in the Tigers’ defence, making it extremely tough for the Lions to find a way through.

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Throughout the 2019 home-and-away season, Vlastuin averaged 19.3 disposals, 6.5 marks, 4.5 rebound-50s and 8.0 intercepts per game.

He is currently ranked third in the competition for intercepts and 14th for marks.

The 25-year-old veteran of 138 games for Richmond provided a self-effacing response to a question about his excellent form in a post-game interview with ‘K rock Football’.

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“’Grimesy’ (Dylan Grimes) playing so good down deep, they’re starting to man him up, so it’s freeing me up a little bit a bit up higher,” Vlastuin said.

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“We need to take it in turns.

“I got a lick of the ice-cream tonight and it was good fun.”