Talented, young Tiger Nick Vlastuin caught up with ‘Roar Vision’ this week for a chat about his, and the team’s, progress this season. Here are Vlastuin’s views . . .
On the Tigers’ recent winning form: “It’s a lot better when you’re winning. Everyone around the Club’s a lot happier, and ‘Dimma’ (coach Damien Hardwick) is a lot better to be around, I suppose. There are no sudden snaps in the team meeting or anything like that.”
On playing in the backline: “We’re a tight group down there . . . We have had the same seven back there . . . It is definitely fun playing with the same back seven week in, week out. I’m enjoying it this season.”
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On benefits for the backs of the team playing tempo footy: “Not as many quick turnovers . . . Hopefully, get a little bit more of the ball as well. It’s a bit slower, so you can catch up to it.”
On a potential move into the midfield: “I’d like to, but if we keep winning, I’m happy to just get a game, I suppose. This year, I think I’ll be more down back, until I get my fitness up a bit more for the midfield. I definitely need a lot more to go in the midfield. I’m alright in bursts, but then I kind of fade away. I’ll work on that during the off-season.”
On his growing football maturity: “I’m feeling a little bit more comfortable speaking up during the games and stuff like that. And, with a couple of the younger boys coming in, I’ve been giving them a little bit of advice in their first couple of games. I’m just feeling more comfortable out there at the moment.”
On areas of improvement needed in his game: “Just getting more of the ball, and running offensively. I’m not doing too much at the moment . . . I want the ball in my hands and hitting targets and stuff like that going forward.”
On the team’s turnaround: “The confidence definitely is rising. It’s a lot more fun playing as well, so we’ll go out there (against Fremantle on Friday night) full of confidence . . .”
