Triple Richmond premiership star defender Nick Vlastuin produced his best performance of the 2026 season in the Round 20 clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Vlastuin, who sustained a severe ankle fracture late last season, and subsequently was significantly hampered throughout the pre-season period, has, understandably, battled to find his best form this year. 

But with the Tigers’ defensive stocks considerably depleted due to the absence of injured pair Ben Miller and Noah Balta, Vlastuin stepped up superbly against the Dogs.

He finished the match with a team-high and season-high 27 disposals, season-high 22 effective disposals, equal season-high 10 contested possessions, season-high 11 marks, game-high and equal season-high nine rebound-50s, a team-high eight intercepts, three score involvements, three tackles and 362 metres gained.

That display by Vlastuin further underlined his major importance within the Richmond line-up, particularly given it now contains so many young, inexperienced players.

On that form, the 32-year-old veteran of 273 senior games with the Tigers still has plenty of good football left in him.