CCTV emerges of 'suspicious' fire at Richmond player's house

CCTV footage has emerged of a suspected arson attack on a property owned by Richmond premiership star Nick Vlastuin.

It was a rough few days for Vlastuin, who was knocked out in the opening stages of Saturday’s AFL grand final victory over Geelong, just hours after the fire at his Torquay property.

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Police are investigating the “suspicious” fire at the property owned by Vlastuin and his partner on Friday morning.

Victoria Police confirmed emergency services were called to a fire at an “unoccupied house under construction” in Torquay at about 1.50am on Friday.

“Crews quickly brought the blaze under control and only the front entrance and porch were damaged,” a Victoria Police statement said.

“Police are yet to make any arrests and the investigation is ongoing.”

On Saturday night, 7News aired CCTV footage of a man walking up to the property with an object in his hand before flames erupted.

Vlastuin has been in Queensland for the last few months after the AFL relocated all Victorian teams because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Tigers confirmed they were aware of the incident.

“The club is aware of a suspicious fire which occurred early Friday morning at a Torquay property owned by Richmond player, Nick Vlastuin and his partner,” Richmond said in a statement.

“The property suffered minor fire damage to the front entrance, and there were no occupants in the home at the time.

“As Victoria Police are investigating the matter, the club will make no further comment.”

Nick Vlastuin knocked out in AFL grand final

Vlastuin won his third AFL premiership in four seasons as the Tigers beat Geelong by 31 points at the Gabba.

However it remains to be seen how much of it he will remember after a nasty collision with Patrick Dangerfield’s elbow.

Vlastuin was chasing a loose ball just minutes into the grand final when Dangerfield punched the ball and then turned his arm to brace himself.

Dangerfield’s elbow hit Vlastuin right in the face, knocking his Richmond opponent unconscious.

The match was held up for a number of minutes as medical personnel assessed Vlastuin on the field, before he was taken off on a medicab.

He didn’t take any further part in the game, but was seen celebrating with his teammates afterwards.

Richmond staked a claim to being the greatest AFL team of the 21st century and ruined retiring Geelong champion Gary Ablett's farewell in the process.

The 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) victory at the Gabba gives the Tigers their third flag in four seasons - matching the famed Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn dynasties of the past two decades with a trio of triumphs.

Dustin Martin cemented his legend status by claiming an unprecedented third Norm Smith Medal, starring with 21 disposals and four goals as best afield in front of a restricted crowd of 29,767.

“I'm super proud. It's been an incredible year,” captain Trent Cotchin said.

“I mean, first and foremost credit to Geelong, they challenged us, but credit to our boys, they just continued to show the resilience that we know they can.”

with AAP

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