Richmond triple-premiership star Nick Vlastuin insists this finals series is not the “last dance” for Richmond, declaring the Tigers have a strong list that will ensure they continue to contend for a premiership.
The Tigers return to September action in Thursday night’s elimination final against Brisbane at the Gabba, having missed last year’s campaign when injury and fatigue largely conspired against them.
There have since been retirements, including David Astbury, Bachar Houli and Kane Lambert, while Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin have yet to confirm whether they will play on. Dustin Martin’s future also remains a point of debate, having been linked to a move interstate, sparking industry speculation this may be the Tigers’ last legitimate shot at a flag with this core group.
Triple-premiership defender Nick Vlastuin is gearing up for another finals campaign with the Tigers.Credit:Jason South
Regardless of what transpires this week and through the off-season, Vlastuin – who said he was relieved to have been overlooked for captaincy – said the Tigers were well-placed to remain among the league’s elite.
“Definitely not, hopefully not,” Vlastuin said, when asked if he felt the Tigers’ grand era was on the cusp of ending.
“Shai Bolton is 23 and he is a superstar, Josh Gibcus, Noah Cumberland, Daniel Rioli, I still think of myself as pretty young.
“Look at what Geelong has done this year. They are first [on the ladder] by a game or two with a pretty old list and everyone has written them off over the last four years. Who is to say that in six years time, the same blokes aren’t still here, and [people] are writing us off?”
The Cats are the recent benchmark in how to revamp on the run, having missed finals only once since their last flag in 2011.
Vlastuin, 28, remains a key piece, while Tom Lynch (29), Jayden Short (26), Rioli (25) and Liam Baker (24) are now among the seasoned planks. There is also a new wave emerging, including Gibcus (19) and Cumberland (21), the Queenslander having booted 18 goals in eight games, including five against the Lions in round 20 when the Tigers, seven goals down, stormed home.
Noah Cumberland, a Queensland product, takes a notebook into Tigers’ team meetings to help him negotiate the game plan.Credit:AFL Photos
“‘Cumbo’ is a pretty amazing story. He did his ACL in his first year, second year was COVID-19, and he was still getting over his ACL. To be honest, he was pretty lucky to stay on the list,” Vlastuin said.
“He showed a bit of promise but sometimes, when you do your ACL in your first year, and you are not a high draft pick, you kind of get forgotten about.
“He kept working on himself … came from a fair way back in terms of professionalism, knowledge around the AFL system, but, to his credit, he takes a notebook into every meeting and writes down [information] because his memory is probably not the best when he tries to take it all in.”
Tim Taranto has been linked to a move to Punt Rd.Credit:Phil Hillyard
There could also be a new face come 2023, with Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tim Taranto linked to a move to Punt Rd. The 2016 No.2 pick, drafted from the Sandringham Dragons, is also on Geelong’s radar should he seek a trade.
“Personally, I have never spoken to him but if he wants to come here, we would love to have him,” Vlastuin said.
“We are not going to mould around him but, at the same time, we don’t expect him to change if he does come to us, if that makes sense. He is a very handy player and he is still only 23.”
Vlastuin, of Dutch pedigree, was one of several leading contenders for the captaincy after Trent Cotchin stepped aside. A player vote led to Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis sharing the role. “Personally, I wouldn’t want it. I don’t like public speaking, that side of it. I will always play footy but, off-field talking, that’s not really my niche,” Vlastuin said.
“Toby is probably that on-field, lead by example, smash in [leader], ‘Grimesy’ is more the planner, off-field developer. They complement each other really well.
“When we did the votes, they were split. We were like: ‘How do we split it?’ We were like: ‘Why do we have to?’. They both can do it.”
Tigers’ historian Tony Greenberg has found Vlastuin is the first Tiger since World War II to feature in eight finals campaigns within his first 10 years at the club. This record betters even that of the likes of club greats Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke and Royce Hart.
“It’s pretty cool – hopefully there is a lot more to come,” Vlastuin, with 189 games under his belt, said.
Vlastuin, who had a hamstring-delayed start to the season (hurt on the final kick of a pre-season match), is in career-best form. The intercept-marking king is averaging more than 21 touches per game (fourth most at the club) and leads the Tigers in marks and rebound 50s. He is also second for effective kicks, but says he is more than happy to remain at half-back, declaring the midfield is loaded with talent.
While they were absent last September, the Tigers head into Thursday’s clash buoyed not only by their recent form – four straight wins to end the season – but by their finals record since 2017, having claimed three flags, won 10 finals and lost only twice.
The Lions are under pressure, with a 1-5 win-loss finals record under coach Chris Fagan. Their one victory was over the Tigers at the Gabba in a 2020 qualifying final, but the home team does have four defeats at the Gabba.
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