Swans win shows Tigers can beat anyone, says VlastuinJordan Chong
afl.com.au
June 27, 2015RICHMOND'S stunning win over the Sydney Swans on Friday night offers further evidence the Tigers are capable of beating the best teams in the competition, says defender Nick Vlastuin.
The Tigers kicked 11 goals in the second half to reel in a 32-point half-time deficit and register their first win at the SCG in more than a decade.
Importantly, the result lifts Richmond to a 7-5 win-loss record with 10 games remaining in the regular season.
It was also the club's second big scalp in recent weeks, having knocked off Fremantle in Perth in round 10.
Vlastuin says the players will take great confidence out of Friday night's match into the weeks ahead, starting with next Saturday's clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.
"We always knew at our best that we can beat anyone so it was a great effort in the second half to come away with the win," Vlastuin said.
"We haven't won up here at the SCG since 2004 so the win definitely means a lot. They are a bona fide top eight team so for us to be able to come away with a win is awesome."
In addition to any tactical adjustments following a rev up from coach Damien Hardwick, the players also changed their boots at half-time after many were slipping over in the opening two quarters due to the dew on the grass.
"Before the game it didn't seem too wet but then as the ground chopped up a bit it was pretty slippery so we got a pretty stern message at half-time to change our stops," Vlastuin said.
"You don't have to do it, but if you slipped over and you didn't do it you might need to answer a couple of questions on Monday."
The 18-point win also meant Vlastuin could celebrate his 50th game in style.
The 21-year-old, who gathered 20 touches and five marks against the Swans, said the first 50 games have been bit of a blur.
"I still kind of feel like a young pup but then there are other players below me who I need to show leadership to," he said.
"We've got a lot of young players, I don't think there are too many over the age of 28 so this group has a lot of years ahead of us. Hopefully we can continue to grow."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-27/swans-win-shows-tigers-can-beat-anyone-says-vlastuin
