TROY Chaplin will play a half for Richmond this week at a time where the value of his off-season recruitment is becoming even more apparent.
The former Port Adelaide defender, along with ex-Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan, will play their first games in the yellow and black when the Tigers take on Hawthorn in Tasmania on Saturday.
With defender David Astbury in doubt for the season opener against Carlton with a foot stress fracture and queries over whether Dylan Grimes will come up, the experienced backman's first game of the season is timely.
"We're certainly looking forward to Troy coming in," coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday.
"He's a very good player but he's also got outstanding leadership qualities and will further help guys such as Alex Rance, Ben Griffiths, Jake Batchelor, all these types of players around him.
"We're looking forward to solidifying our back six with his presence.
"We'll look to get three quarters into him the following week."
Chaplin became a Tiger via free agency last year after nine seasons at Port Adelaide.
There were concerns over the knee he had operated on at the end of the season but he has come through his rehabilitation and been training strongly.
Chaplin finished second in Port's best and fairest in 2010 and was a member of the club's leadership group.
First-year recruit Nick Vlastuin will be rested this week after impressing in his other senior outings so far this pre-season.
Hardwick said the Tigers' first pick from last year's NAB AFL Draft had kept himself in the selection frame for round one with his encouraging summer.
"He's doing everything right at this stage. We've just got to see how it pans out, there's still a couple of games to go and we've got a number of players who will force their way back into the side this week," he said.
"Nick will have a rest this week, he won't play but he's certainly doing everything right at this stage.
"He's one of those players you're drawn to – you watch him play and you think, 'Wow, he's got some special traits', which is good.
"It's pleasing from a depth perspective; you can sort of see players who are capable of stepping in and playing if we lose a soldier along the way."
Troy Chaplin is a defender in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 65.94 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
