Nick Vlastuin

Early life and junior football

Vlastuin spent his formative years living in Melbourne's northern suburbs. He played his junior football at Eltham in the Northern Football League before moving to the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup at the age of 14.

In 2011 Vlastuin represented the premiership winning Victorian Metro side at the Under-18 National championships. He returned to the team in 2012, this time captaining the side to the competition title. He was also named All-Australian for his performances in the tournament. As an Under-18 player Vlastuin was also a member of the AFL-AIS academy; an elite training program for 30 of the country's best young footballers.

Vlastuin completed high school at St Helena Secondary College in 2011. In addition to football commitments, he worked as a pool lifeguard during 2012.

AFL career

Vlastuin was drafted with Richmond's first pick and the ninth selection overall in the 2015 AFL National Draft.

Vlastuin made his AFL debut in Round 5 of the 2013 AFL season in an away game against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. In Round 7 of the same season he was nominated for the 2013 AFL Rising Star after a 23 possession game against Port Adelaide. He also kicked his first career goal in the match. He would go on to play 18 games in his first season, recording an average of 16.3 disposals and 4.8 marks per game and placing sixth in the Rising Star award. In addition he received the Cosgrove-Jenkins award as the club's best first-year player.

2014 saw Vlastuin play in 20 matches for the Tigers, including a finals series appearance for the second straight season. He played in each of the club's first eight matches before suffering a broken finger in Round 9 against Melbourne. He would return relatively quickly. Missing just two round of AFL action. Vlastuin finished seventh at the club for tackles and ninth for rebound 50s in 2014.

In his third year at the club, Vlastuin placed sixth in the club's best-and-fairest award, his highest place to date. He was also nominated for the AFLPA's 22 Under 22 team but would fail to make the final team. He did not miss a game that season playing all 23 home and away matches in addition to the club's losing elimination final. In the 2015 off-season Vlastuin underwent minor hip surgery.

At the beginning of the 2016 season he adopted the #1 guernsey, worn the previous season by retiring former club captain and personal backline mentor, Chris Newman. In an understength side for the club's the first pre-season tournament match he played the role of captain, despite not being a member of the club's leadership group. After captain Trent Cotchin was ruled out by a cheek fracture, Vlastuin was called up to play a midfield role in Richmond's Round 7 match-up with Hawthorn. He recorded 16 disposals, a goal and six tackles in the match but did not reprise the role on a regular basis that season. Vlastuin suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the club's Round 11 loss to North Melbourne. In addition to missing the remainder of the match he sat out two more games, not returning until after the bye, in a Round 14 match against Brisbane Lions. He was again nominated to the 22 Under 22 squad that season but would go unselected for the second straight season. He placed ninth in the club's best and fairest count that season.

Prior to the 2017 season, Richmond's coaches pegged Vlastuin for a move to a more stoppage focused role. He ceased training with the club's backline specific group and moved into the club's midfield training group. Vlastuin was a key member of Richmond's strong start to the 2017 season, playing in the club's Round 1 victory over Carlton. He kicked a goal during the match while his 12 tackles for the match set a career best. Vlastuin suffered a broken nose and concussion in the club's Round 3 win over West Coast. He played with the lingering effects of the injury in Round 4 before concussion symptoms saw him sit out the club's Round 5 match against Melbourne. Vlastuin suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of his side's Round 7 match against the Western Bulldogs. Scans later revealed a small scapula fracture with initial estimations suggesting he would miss three to four weeks of play. He ultimately missed more than two months of AFL football, returning to the club's senior side in Round 17 following a fortnight of matches in the VFL. He would however return to his previous home in the backline, with his midfield move scuttled by his injury and by previous injuries to key backline personnel. In Round 18 he was among the Tigers' best, recording 11 marks and 21 possessions (13 intercepts) in the club's win over the GWS Giants.

Vlastuin is contracted to Richmond through the end of the 2019 season.

Statistics

Personal life

Vlastuin is a second generation Australian of Dutch descent. He is son to mother Cecily and father Chris.