A heralded Richmond defender has shared the details of his recovery from concussion, while also providing an update on a rehabilitating premiership teammate.
Over a week ago, Nick Vlastuin was placed in the AFL's concussion protocols by Richmond's medical staff after reporting short-lived symptoms following a head knock.
The three-time flag-winner had been a full participant in the Tigers' pre-season preparations, with an innocuous incident proving the catalyst to keeping the 29-year-old out of Richmond's intraclub hitout last Wednesday.
"[I] probably had headaches for about 24 hours and that was about it, and then felt pretty normal from after that so, yeah, all good," Vlastuin said on Sunday, viaย 7News.
"[I've] had a big pre-season, [I] copped a little knock about two weeks ago now, there wasn't actually anything major [but] Doc said 'cause of my history (with concussion) he's just going to put me in protocols.
"It was probably pretty good on the body (to rest up), [a] nice little freshener."
The Tigers have been cautious with Vlastuin, who notably suffered a concussion early in the 2020 Grand Final against Geelong after copping a stray elbow from Patrick Dangerfield.
However, the critical back-half interceptor will reportedly return to full contact training on Monday at Punt Road, with the experienced veteran expected to feature in Richmond's upcoming practice matches against Melbourne and Collingwood in late February.
Meanwhile, recovering talisman Tom Lynch remains in a race against the clock to be fit in time for Opening Round in early March, as he continues to rehabilitate the foot injury that kept him out for the majority of last season.
"'Lynchy' I think they're just holding back," Vlastuin declared. "If it was up to him he'd probably play in a couple of weeks (in the practice games) but I wouldn't be surprised if they put it off a couple more weeks, just [to] make sure he's absolutely cherry-ripe.
"He's a pretty important player."
The Tigers are scheduled to face Melbourne in an unofficial hitout on Sunday, February 18 at Casey Fields before playing Collingwood at IKON Park in their sole Community Series matchup on Tuesday, February 27.
Richmond's Opening Round clash with the Gold Coast Suns is fixtured for Saturday, March 9.
