WHEN Richmond's players return to training on Monday, Nick Vlastuin might take some adjusting.

In nine weeks away from Punt Road, the dual premiership Tiger has been immersed in putting the finishing touches on two townhouses he's been building in Torquay.

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So much so that he's rarely ventured up the highway back to Melbourne – one being for his compulsory COVID-19 test at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday.

In relocating to the coastal town without access to a gym or equipment, the 26-year-old has been forced to think outside the square when not working or surfing.

"It's involved running three or four times a week and any weights you can I suppose," Vlastuin said.

"Not everyone has access to a gym, so we've been doing Zoom push-up calls for a bit of fun."

Vlastuin is one of several Tigers who took up the push from Richmond four or five years ago to begin a carpentry apprenticeship that was completed last year. 

Kamdyn McIntosh has been working full-time during isolation, while Jayden Short has also accepted the invitation to join a friend on the tools.

"(It was) pretty much every day off for three or three years and I completed it 12 months ago," Vlastuin said.

"I always planned to get more hands on the tools and this lockdown came when my house hit lock-up so I've been on the tools every day since.

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"It's been a bit of a sneak peek into life after footy for me.

"Having the trade to lean back gives you confidence that if footy does all of a sudden end I know I've got something to go into."

Like so many tradesmen, Vlastuin has been frequenting the local Bunnings Warehouse in Torquay where he collected his Big Freeze beanie on sale for $20 nationwide to support FightMND.

With games to return on June 11 – three days after Queen's Birthday – plans are still being developed between Collingwood and Melbourne to support the cause when they meet in 2020.