Rising Richmond star Nick Vlastuin has been selected in a star-studded side of recent AFL draftees.

The AFL Academy’s ’20 in 2020’ team, which commemorates the 20^th intake of the AFL’s national Academy, is made up of young league players who have been drafted over the past four years.

Current Academy coach Brenton Sanderson, along with its previous head coaches, and AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan, comprised the selection panel for the 20 in 2020 team.

Selectors anticipate those players named will be among the competition’s leading performers in 2020.

Vlastuin was Richmond’s first pick (No. 9 overall) in the AFL’s 2012 National Draft.

He has developed into a top-class, small defender for the Tigers in his four seasons at the game’s highest level.

The strongly-built, 22-year-old, who has played 78 league games all-up, is renowned for his toughness, composure, clever reading of the play, and efficient ball use.

It’s anticipated he will eventually make the move to a permanent inside midfield role within Richmond’s line-up.

The AFL Academy ‘20 in 2020’ team is . . .

Defenders: Nick Vlastuin (Rich), Jake Lever (Adel), Nathan Wilson (GWS), Callum Mills (Syd), Jacob Weitering (Carl), Jack Martin (GC)
Midfielders: Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Lachie Whitfield (GWS), Jaeger O'Meara (GC), Ollie Wines (PA), Jack Viney (Melb), Brodie Grundy (Coll)
Forwards: Jake Stringer (WB), Jeremy Cameron (GWS), Isaac Heeney (Syd), Josh Kelly (GWS), Jesse Hogan (Melb), Joe Daniher (Ess) 
Interchange: Darcy Parish (Ess), Stephen Coniglio (GWS)