‘Lambert would be my favourite’ says Vlastuin as Tigers mull captaincy candidatesBy Jon Pierik
The Age
January 18, 2022 — 4.01pmTriple premiership-winning Richmond star Nick Vlastuin says the Tigers are yet to formulate how they will settle on a new captain, but he has nominated who he thinks should replace Trent Cotchin in the role.
The Tigers have several options to consider, with champion Dustin Martin; Tom Lynch, a former co-captain at the Gold Coast; Jack Graham; Jack Riewoldt; Jayden Short; Dylan Grimes; and Vlastuin, himself, in the mix.
Cotchin opted to cede the top role late last year but Vlastuin said the Tigers, having resumed pre-season training but with limited numbers because of health and safety protocols, were yet to be told how the new leader will be selected.
However, the tough defender said the hard-running Kane Lambert, a triple premiership teammate, is his tip to replace Cotchin.
“Cotch has had it for the last eight years. I am not sure how they are going to choose it, or what is going to happen, but there are plenty of options,” Vlastuin told the Richmond website.
“Lynchy has been really good, Kane Lambert would be my favourite, Shorty, Fridge (Jack Graham), Riewoldt, Grimesy, there are a lot of options, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
“It’s hard to say what we want. Cotch is one sort of leader, we are probably never going to have another Cotchin, so the next captain will probably be completely different but completely perfect at the same time.”
Cotchin led the Tigers in a club record 188 matches but is keen to finish his career free of the added responsibility.
Club chief executive Brendon Gale in November gave a glowing endorsement of Martin as a leader, declaring he could “absolutely” be the next Tigers’ captain.
As a Brownlow medallist and three-time Norm Smith medallist, Martin’s status as one of the greats of the game cannot be questioned. As Gale said, Martin is “meticulous” in his preparation, but a major point of debate will be whether he can handle being a club spokesman and deal with increased media and sponsorship demands - a key part of the role.
The robust Graham, 23, is a former South Australian under-18 captain and is seen as a leader at some point in his career at Punt Road. However, there is a view that it would be best to allow him to focus more on his own game over the next two or three years. The tough onballer finished second in the best-and-fairest count last season and said through the campaign that he had leadership qualities.
“I haven’t thought too much about it, I do like to think I’ve got some leadership qualities,” Graham said.
“At the moment at Richmond there’s so much leadership floating around with Cotch (Trent Cotchin), Shane Edwards, (Jack) Riewoldt, Grimesy (Dylan Grimes), (Kane) Lambert … the list goes on. I’m just happy to sit back and just learn off these guys.”
Lynch, 29, held the top role alongside Steven May for two seasons when they were at the Suns and would now be a more experienced leader. As a key forward, he is central to the Tigers’ hopes of extending their premiership era.
Grimes, 30, is a highly respected figure and a great role model. He claimed his maiden Jack Dyer medal last season and remains one of the league’s best defenders.
Riewoldt, 33, is in the twilight of his career but could do the role for a season or two, particularly if it’s felt Graham would be ready for the role come 2023.
Short, 25, is another in the age bracket who could take on the role for the next four or five years if it’s felt he is the best man for the job.
Vlastuin, a former Vic Metro captain, will turn 28 in April and is also seen as a fine potential leader with a grounded look upon life, as evidenced when he said he had spent time “on the tools” during the pre-season break.
“Who knows? A lot of people lead by different ways, voice, on the field, off the field, so I am not sure what we are going to look for or what the boys are going to pick, or how we are going to pick it. But I am sure they are going to be great in their own way,” Vlastuin said.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lambert-would-be-my-favourite-says-vlastuin-as-tigers-mull-captaincy-candidates-20220118-p59p4f.html
