HERALDSUN.COM.AU THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 AFL 63 VLASTUIN, ELLIS SECURED

RICHMOND has re- Richardson said Vlastuin has played 69 signed first-round draft yesterday. games since his 2013 Daw to picks Nick Vlastuin and “It’s been great to see debut. Ellis, who made Corey Ellis. Nick spend some time in his debut last season, has Vlastuin, 22, and Ellis, the midfield recently and, played 15. 19, who were to have for a second-year player, Meanwhile, come out of contract at Corey has been very Richmond forward Ben the end of this season, composed and consistent Lennon had surgery this have re-signed for three in the backline this week on the AC joint in and two seasons season.” his right shoulder. cover if respectively. Richmond recruited Lennon suffered the “We’re really pleased Vlastuin with pick No.9 injury at training last with the ongoing in the 2012 national draft week and missed the development of both and Ellis came to Punt Tigers’ VFL clash against Nick and Corey,” Tigers Rd two years later with Essendon. He is expected football manager Dan pick No.12. to miss up to six weeks. Goldy misses

MAJAK Daw is a ready-made JAMES BRESNEHAN replacement for North Mel- bourne ruckman Todd Gold- time,” Firrito said. “He’s the stein, says Kangaroos defender beacon down there and a lot of Michael Firrito. ball does go to him, but they’ve But Firrito would not put got other avenues to goal too money on Goldstein missing now that makes them really North’s blockbuster against dangerous. Richmond at Hobart’s Blund- “(Brett) Deledio has been stone Arena tomorrow night down there a bit and we know — the first AFL night game to what sort of player he is. be held in Tasmania. “(Ben) Griffiths is having his Goldstein is racing the clock breakout season, Ty Vickery to be ready, after straining his bobs up and kicks a few goals right knee in North’s 26-point and (Sam) Lloyd as well. He loss to Sydney at the SCG last has kicked some crucial goals Friday. for them. Firrito said the All-Austra- “There’s a lot of avenues to lian ruckman was still a chance goal these days and that’s a big to play, and he could prove it at improvement in their game training at Arden St this morn- and one we will have to look ing before the Kangaroos head closely at.” to Hobart. North is expect- “We’ll give ‘Goldy’ every ed to announce a five-year, chance — he’s a fierce com- three-games-a-season deal petitor so I wouldn’t bet with the Tasmanian against him playing,” Firrito Government before the game. said yesterday. “It’s a big occasion. Friday “But if he doesn’t come up, night footy is the standout Majak will be more than timeslot and the spotlight capable of filling that role. turns on you,” Firrito said. “He’s been knocking the “It will be very special to door down at VFL level and play Tasmania’s first night when he played a couple of game in Hobart. It’s a great Defender Nick weeks ago he played his role place, Blundstone has an unbe- Vlastuin has really well.” lievable atmosphere and it’s a agreed to a new Firrito, the commander of state-of-the-art stadium with three-year deal North’s back six, warned that great facilities for the players with the Tigers. the Tigers were no one-man and a great deck as well. Picture: GETTY band up forward. “We love coming down IMAGES “The thing Richmond have there and we are very excited improved on is they are not about it.” just (Jack) Riewoldt conscious [email protected] — they don’t go to him every DUMONT’S JANUARY TRIAL, PAGE 2 Hewett muscles up GIANTS BACKMEN TOO BRAVE

SYDNEY youngster George NEIL CORDY GREATER Western Sydney shoulder after landing when to go and when not to Hewett says growing up as the coach Leon Cameron says heavily against Adelaide. go. I can’t see it happening smallest, skinniest kid as a bigger people around me and some of his defenders may be The injury list includes key that Matthew Buntine is junior has made him a better, bigger personalities,” he said. too brave for their own good backs (ankle, 2-3 going to be pulling out of a more resilient, footballer. “I was always the smallest as he welcomes one of them, weeks), Caleb Marchbank contest shortly.” And the Swans have seen and skinniest bloke in the foot- co-captain Phil Davis, back (ankle, four weeks) and Tim Buntine, who has had enough of the 20-year-old to ball and cricket teams by quite to action. Mohr (hamstring 3-5 weeks). three bouts of concussion in a give him a two-year contract a bit, but once I started to Davis will return for “There are just some year, wore a helmet at extension until 2018. develop it worked in my Saturday’s clash against naturally born brave players training yesterday. “He’s “Negotiations only started a advantage. Geelong at Simonds Stadium that just have no fear,” such a brave player, probably couple of weeks ago,” Hewett “The Swans knew I was after missing three games Cameron said yesterday. too brave for his own good at said. “I’m very happy at the pretty young and would take with a hamstring injury. “We’re lucky enough to times,” Cameron said. club and the Swans were some time to develop, but it’s Another defender, Matt have probably half a dozen in The coach confirmed happy to offer me a deal, so we worked out in the end.” Buntine, is confident of our back half; maybe that’s a Davis could expect to play on got it done pretty quickly.” Hewett, selected in the 2013 playing after sitting out last little answer why we have so Geelong spearhead Tom Born on December 29, 1995, draft, made his senior debut in weekend with concussion. many injuries in there. Hawkins, and possibly Mark Hewett often competed Round 1 this year. But the wretched run of “But there’s also a line Blicavs and resting ruckmen against boys almost 12 months He has played in nine of luck for Giants defenders where they have got to be Rhys Stanley and Zac Smith. older and bigger than him. Sydney’s first 10 games, aver- isn’t over. Adam Kennedy able to read the play. As they “Phil is going to have his “I think it held me in good aging 13 disposals, four tackles has been ruled out for at least get a bit older and more work cut out with some big stead having to cope with and a goal a match. Sydney’s George Hewett a week with a sore back and experienced, they know boys,” Cameron said.

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