Nick Vlaustin on the way to being A grade

[TFLUA-Tiger]

Looks a ripper, doesn't he?

Questions remain about his inside, ballwinning ability and his hands in traffic, but he's looked more than quick enough for the level, gets out on the spread and makes smart (albeit mostly safe) decisions with the ball in hand. Tackles with quite an intensity, too. When he builds core-strength and confidence at this level he'll be be capable of really impacting games.

 

[MR]

Quick question without notice - if you had to choose at the moment at the selection table between Ellis and Tigger, who would you go with?

Vlad so quick it ain't even funny. Ellis cost us at least 3 goals on the weekend.

 

[DontArgue4]

why are people so harsh on ellis, i love his game, i thought he was a little fumbly on the weekend but hes bloody 20 years old, he has a very very bright future, just like the flosstron does. We have two studs in the making, we should be extremely happy

 

[Rayzorwire]

Looks a ripper, doesn't he?

Questions remain about his inside, ballwinning ability and his hands in traffic, but he's looked more than quick enough for the level, gets out on the spread and makes smart (albeit mostly safe) decisions with the ball in hand. Tackles with quite an intensity, too. When he builds core-strength and confidence at this level he'll be be capable of really impacting games.

I think he'll improve out of sight on the inside stuff over the next couple of pre-seasons, TFL, his contested work away from stoppages is excellent and it's just a matter of experience and adjusting to the big league I think, much the same as his work in traffic.

I struggle to recall a performance like Saturday's from a first season Richmond player, any suggestions as to who might have topped it in the past?

He really is a very complete player for his age, I think he'll become our best mid by around 2016 or so and it will be obvious to all well before that where he is headed. The draft has been very good to us for first-rounders since the JON debacle.

 

[Rich o man]

I think he'll improve out of sight on the inside stuff over the next couple of pre-seasons, TFL, his contested work away from stoppages is excellent and it's just a matter of experience and adjusting to the big league I think, much the same as his work in traffic.

I struggle to recall a performance like Saturday's from a first season Richmond player, any suggestions as to who might have topped it in the past?

He really is a very complete player for his age, I think he'll become our best mid by around 2016 or so and it will be obvious to all well before that where he is headed. The draft has been very good to us for first-rounders since the JON debacle.

JON debacle. He was selected because he was faster than Tambling. If that is correct we can measure it as a success.

 

[TheTigerArmy]

why are people so harsh on ellis, i love his game, i thought he was a little fumbly on the weekend but hes bloody 20 years old, he has a very very bright future, just like the flosstron does. We have two studs in the making, we should be extremely happy

Agree..our midfield in a few years with Cotchin Martin Deledio Foley Ellis and Vlastiun..will be the best and most feared midfield in the league..(its damn good now ) im salivating at how good our team will be in 1-2 years and beyond..

 

[Bojangles17]

Reminds me nothing of Lewis , more like a young Joel selwood, not too many first gamers start in the pivot, this kid eats contested ball for breakfast and has crisp disposal....great to see him in y & b

 

[LuKe2428]

Agree..our midfield in a few years with Cotchin Martin Deledio Foley Ellis and Vlastiun..will be the best and most feared midfield in the league..(its damn good now ) im salivating at how good our team will be in 1-2 years and beyond..

Conca?

 

[tugga]

Looked like he'd played 40 or 50 games already on Saturday. Loved his composure. Scary thing is, he still doesn't feel confident that he belongs yet. Once he starts really believing (and it will come soon) it's frightening what he can be.
Wines will be an absolute star too.

 

[want2spoodge_pettifer]

Our recruiting policy of banking on solid performers that both fulfill a need and improve us as a unit is now becoming Sydney-like - at least with our first rounders. Our back end of drafts thus far is very much jury still out.

 

[ize_]

Loving our young, tough inside mid brigade. Bodes very well indeed. Wouldn't mind a flying outsider at this years draft to round it all out

 

[TheTigerArmy]

Conca?

Yes forgot about him.. ..my Hell we are goin to be awesome..

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Nick Vlastuin>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Relton Roberts

Am I doing this right?

Not at eating hamburgers .

 

[theflea]

why are people so harsh on ellis, i love his game, i thought he was a little fumbly on the weekend but hes bloody 20 years old, he has a very very bright future, just like the flosstron does. We have two studs in the making, we should be extremely happy

The only reason why i harp a little on him is, i see him becoming a very good player if he can eliminate those little errors(ball snatching/taking his eyes off the ball) now so he doesnt continue these for the rest of his career. if we can do this it makes him and our team a much better team to contend with.

 

[Spluff]

Our recruiting policy of banking on solid performers that both fulfill a need and improve us as a unit is now becoming Sydney-like - at least with our first rounders. Our back end of drafts thus far is very much jury still out.

Sydney haven't gotten their first pick correct for the better part of a decade. Hopefully we're doing better than that.

 

[Capitano_Cotch]

why are people so harsh on ellis, i love his game, i thought he was a little fumbly on the weekend but hes bloody 20 years old, he has a very very bright future, just like the flosstron does. We have two studs in the making, we should be extremely happy

Ab-sol-ute-ly

 

[Azzleberry]

The only reason why i harp a little on him is, i see him becoming a very good player if he can eliminate those little errors(ball snatching/taking his eyes off the ball) now so he doesnt continue these for the rest of his career. if we can do this it makes him and our team a much better team to contend with.

Was really impressed with Vlas on the weekend! Can't wait to see what these young boys will do with 2-3 preseasons under their belts.. Just look at the improvement in Ellis from last year to this year.. Last year while I thought Ellis was fantastic for a first year player, he seemed to panic under pressure or just bomb long. This year, Ellis is one of the players I want given the ball in the pressure moment and he has shown that he can go and win his own ball as well as get it on the outside and use it efficiently. The improvement in Ellis has been unbelievable and if the same happens to Vlas then look out!!

 

[Dr Awkward]

Vlaustin, Conca and Ellis all supposedly taken above where expected, all look like showing they were taken in the right spot.

Ellis should have been about pick 7/8 I reckon. Vlastuin looks like about a pick 5/6. Conca I do rate, but more like a 12-15 pick for me.

I'm sure those numbers will change a bit throughout their careers.

 

[Dustin Credible]

Looking at more than just Vlas, Richmond's first round drafting has been excellent of recent years. Conca, Ellis and Vlastuin will prove to be extremely important players for us as well as picking up Dylan Grimes. Credit to our recruiting over the past years, will go a long way in determining our success.

This and the great thing about this group of players (Martin, Conca, Ellis, Vlastuin) for me is that their skill sets all complement each others.

 

[Dyerstraits]

Very impressed so far, has shown a lot of good qualities, the most important ones being skillful, smart and tough. He's a bit shorter than I hoped, but does seem strong overhead.

I'm going to make an early call and say that he's our best draft pick since Martin.

Same height as Dusty, 1 cm shorter than Lids, and only three cm's shorter than our specialist ruckman Grigg, how tall u want the kid Doc?

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Rising star nom for last round - keeps our tradition of first rounders getting nominations going strong!

Big fan and will be a great addition to the midfield for many years to come.

 

[Football Tragic]

In two years we will have the undisputed best midfield in the league. Big call I know but when Tigger is 21, Ellis 22, Conca 23, Martin 24, Cotch 25, Lids 28 and Foley 28 that makes for a fearsome midfield rotation. I haven't even taken into account Edwards or any other midfielders we secure in the next couple of years via trade or draft. Tucky of course will still be getting better with age too so exciting times ahead.

 

[TigerTime88]

How have people seen his 2nd year? I think he has been a pass without being sensational. He doesn't find enough of the ball and I think it's mainly due to the fact his not a great runner. When he does get it he makes great decisions.

 

[Stylo]

We look a lot more composed with Vlas in the side. Loving that he's making his transition into the midfield moreso this year, his limited minutes in the centre have been impressive. Get a massive preseason up him and watch him detonate next year

 

[TheTigerArmy]

Our future with young mids is excellent..Miles Vlas,Dusty,Ellis,lennon,conca..we may hav been sluggish this year...but in a few years most of these guys will be A graders...were goun all right i reckon..future is bright...add foley cotchin and deledio to this group and the potential is enormous...best group of talent for 30 years at tiges..