Richmond track watch: Tigers swings Noah Balta forward as Nick Vlastuin deals with concussion

A vital Tiger has become the latest AFL player to enter concussion protocols this pre-season as Adem Yze continued to move the magnets at Richmond’s pre-season.

Nick VLASTUIN. AFL Richmond Football Club pre-season training. Picture: Jason Edwards

Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin has become the latest player limited by concussion this pre-season, just weeks after recommendations to limit contact at AFL training.

Vlastuin has been in concussion protocols since copping a head knock on Wednesday and was on light duties at training on Monday.

He ran laps and kicked a ball with others in Richmond’s rehab group, including Tom Lynch (foot) and Dylan Grimes (calf).

Nick Vlastuin at training on Monday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victorian coroner John Cain recommended in December that AFL clubs slash contact training sessions in a bid to protect players from concussions, as part of findings into the death of former Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck.

Cain’s recommendation was for clubs to reduce contact in time for the 2025 pre-season.

A number of players across the league have suffered concussions this pre-season, including Collingwood’s Josh Carmichael and Carlton defender Mitch McGovern.

Western Bulldog draftee Aiden O’Driscoll suffered a head clash on Friday and was concussed.

Lynch and Grimes moved well at Richmond training on Monday, with Dustin Martin (ankle) and Dion Prestia (management) stepping away from the main group as it moves into a full-ground stoppage drill.

Tom Lynch going through his paces. Picture: Jason Edwards

Spearhead Lynch took part in some light tackling and kicked the ball to Grimes with ease.

Winger Jack Ross trained fully and looked in good nick after toe surgery limited him to start pre-season, while Josh Gibcus took part in the entire session.

Electric midfielder Shai Bolton came up limping after one contest but saw out the session.

A full-speed collision occurred during the session when Noah Cumberland dived to smother a Huge Ralphsmith kick and fell across Ralphsmith’s body, but the pair gingerly got up and carried on.

BALTA SWITCH

New Tigers coach Adem Yze’s interest in playing Noah Balta in attack appeared real on Monday, with the defender playing as a full-forward during the full-ground drill.

Balta opposed defender Tylar Young, while recruit Jacob Koschitzke played alongside, manned by Gibcus.

Noah Balta leaps for one. Picture: Jason Edwards

Both Gibcus and Koschitzke clunked contested marks during the drill, in which one side attacked out of a centre stoppage.

Balta has largely played his 85 AFL games at full-back but he has been swung forward on occasion, including kicking eight goals in his first three games of 2022.

While Lynch is hopeful of being on track to play in opening round against the Gold Coast, Balta may be Yze’s first back-up choice, given Gibcus has rounded into form as a key defender.

Hopeful train-on player Mykelti Lefau. Picture: Jason Edwards

SUMMER SIGNING WATCH

Richmond’s train-on players Mykelti Lefau and Mitch Schofield both played as forwards at the opposite end to Balta, with Lefau taking a mark deep forward and setting up a goal.

The Tigers have one spot to fill before the summer signing deadline on February 19.

During a hot Melbourne morning, Richmond continued to train under a giant camel, placed on top of the team bench at Punt Road.

An Yze brainwave, the camel was installed late last week as a metaphor to inspire the Tigers through tough conditions in summer.

Originally published as Richmond track watch: Tigers swings Noah Balta forward as Nick Vlastuin deals with concussion