Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin impressed with club’s young draftees
There’s been no holding back for the Tigers on their pre-season training camp on the Gold Coast and the club’s young recruits have stood up to the test with Nick Vlastuin heaping praise on one top performer.
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Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin has heaped praise on Tiger cub Riley Collier-Dawkins as a top performer this pre-season.
As the Tigers ramped up their 2019 preparations on their pre-season camp on the Gold Coast this week, Vlastuin said Collier-Dawkins and fellow Oakleigh draftee Jack Ross had caught his eye on the training track so far.
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“The first years have really impressed me,’’ Vlastuin said.
“Riley Collier-Dawkins and Rossy, they have been really impressive.
“We had a little match sim (simulation) on Monday and Collier-Dawkins was probably best on (the ground).’’
The 193cm Collier-Dawkins was the Tigers’ first round selection in last year’s national draft at No.20 overall, while Ross was the second-round pick at No.43.
While the youngsters showed what they could deliver, Vlastuin said there had been no holding back for the Tigers during their camp.
“This is our second week back after Christmas and last week was just kind of building up to this and then we are going flat out.,’’ he said.
“We have got a lot of competitive drills ... a lot of match sims, so going flat out.’’
After the departure of assistant coach Ben Rutten, Vlastuin said there had been a slightly different focus for the backline working with Justin Leppitsch.
“With Ben Rutten leaving as well that adds another dynamic,’’ Vlastuin said.
“Justin Leppitsch focuses a lot more on players individually so hopefully we can show what we’ve got a little bit more as well.
“We’re still going to work as a team like ‘Truck’ has shown us. But ‘Leppa’ just hones in really on the solo backliners.”
Originally published as Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin impressed with club’s young draftees
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