Accomplished, young Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin will captain the Tigers in Friday’s NAB Challenge opening round clash with Fremantle at Mandurah’s Rushton Park.
And, assistant coach Brendon Lade will take over the senior coaching reins from Damien Hardwick for the match.
Vlastuin, 21, has been appointed captain of what will be a young, inexperienced Richmond side that tackles the Dockers in WA.
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The Tigers’ entire 2016 playing leadership group of captain Trent Cotchin, vice-captains Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric, along with Alex Rance and Shane Edwards, has been rested for the NAB Challenge opener. Two other experienced Tiger stars in Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin also won’t take part in the match.
Vlastuin captained Vic Metro in the 2012 national under-18 championships before being recruited by Richmond at pick nine in that year’s AFL National Draft.
He has played 61 games in three seasons of league football with the Tigers and established himself as one of the competition’s best young defenders.
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Lade is entering his seventh season as an assistant coach at Richmond following a distinguished 234-game playing career with Port Adelaide, including its inaugural AFL premiership in 2004.
He has been the Tigers’ midfield stoppage coach for the past few years.
