Nick Vlastuin has never been an All-Australian. He has only been in the All-Australian squad once.

He has never won a Richmond best and fairest. He has been in the top three of the Jack Dyer Medal twice.

He has never been the Tiger on billboards, nor the frontman to their golden run of success.

That's been the way of Vlastuin throughout his career, right up until his 250th milestone match this Saturday night. The Tigers wanted Vlastuin long before he was theirs.

The captain of Vic Metro's under-18 side in 2012, he had impressed Tigers scouts through the year and on the AFL Academy's tour of Europe early in the season. His season had its ups and downs but 'Tigga' remained firmly in their plans.

Heading into that year's draft, there were a few 'locks', including Lachie Whitfield at No.1, and Calder Cannons teammates Jonathan O'Rourke and Lachie Plowman at No.2 and 3 behind Whitfield as the Giants looked to group mates together.

Back at the No.9 pick, Richmond was willing through Vlastuin, knowing he was their man as Damien Hardwick built a team in his own image. It has played out to be the perfect selection.

Whitfield, Jake Stringer, Jack Macrae, Ollie Wines, Brodie Grundy, Aidan Corr, Jack Viney, Kamdyn McIntosh, Rory Atkins, Mason Wood, Tim Membrey, Jake Lloyd, Dane Rampe and Zac Williams are the only remaining players from the 2012 intake still in the AFL, with Joe Daniher and Lachie Hunter retiring last year.

Vlastuin sits comfortably in the top handful from his draft class, taking on and shutting down forwards of all shapes and sizes through his career whilst underpinning Richmond's defensive group.

The 31-year-old is signed until the end of next year, but will go close to joining the illustrious Richmond 300 Club down the track.