Rising Richmond star, Nick Vlastuin, the Tigers’ acting captain in tonight’s opening round NAB Challenge clash with Fremantle at Mandurah, has outlined the challenges his young team has confronted in the lead-up to the match.

“It’s kind of hard, because they’ve never done this.  But it’s a great learning experience for them, showing what they’ve done all over pre-season,” Vlastuin told ‘Roar Vision’.

Win the 2016 Tigers Golden Ticket by becoming a Richmond member

“We’ve still got a couple of old heads, like ‘Chappy’ (Troy Chaplin) and hopefully they can learn a fair bit off them. 

“It’s just getting used to travelling and then training straight off the plane.  And then, the night before, it’s a bit different because you’re not at home. 

“So, it’s just all those types of learnings.”

Vlastuin can’t wait to get stuck into the action against the opposition of another league team after several intra-club practice matches during the pre-season.

“It’s definitely more exciting.  You never really want to hurt your teammates in the intra-club . . . It should be a good game,” he said.

Vlastuin is confident the young Richmond defence can get the job done against an experienced Fremantle forward set-up.

“It should be a good challenge,” he said. 

“We’ll definitely back in the likes of Jake Batchelor and Dave Astbury.  Looking forward to what Nathan Broad can bring in his home town, too.  ‘Georgie’ (Jason) Castagna will get a go as well, so it’s pretty exciting.”