(Photo: Blair Burns)
Richmond great Trent Cotchin has announced he will retire at season’s end. There was a meeting held on Thursday morning, where Cotchin informed all of the playing group and staff of his decision.
The fearless leader for the Tigers will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play for the Richmond Football Club, as well as a very influential leader and figure throughout the the wider league.
Cotchin notched up 300 AFL games earlier this season. There had been much speculation regarding his future throughout the year, as well as other Richmond veterans.
During his speech this morning, Cotchin said he will miss the camaraderie and mateship among people at the Football club.
“I am going to miss with all my heart the relationships, memories and experiences I have had these past 305 games,” he said.
Cotchin couldn’t have spoken more highly of the club thanking the people involved in making his career so special.
“I found my life purpose at Richmond,” he said.
“Finding out that creating an environment to help others realise and fulfil their potential not only inspired me, but helped me to overcome my own fears.”
Cotchin’s retirement leaves a huge hole at Tigerland, which was recognised by current interim coach, Andrew McQualter, as he gave huge praise for the lasting legacy that the club champion will leave.
“People come and go from footy clubs all the time, but this man (Cotchin) right here might be the most influential player to ever play at this great football club,” he said.
“The impact he’s had on this club is profound.”
Cotchin's AFL journey started back in 2007, when he was selected by Richmond with the second overall pick in the National Draft.
From very early on, it was clear that his talent was rare, as the leadership he displayed from a young age was something quite remarkable.
In as early as Round four of the 2010 season, Cotchin (in just his 29th career game) was called upon to captain Richmond for the first time, in the absence of Chris Newman.
The appointment highlighted his leadership traits which continued to blossom throughout his career.
Highly regarded as a tough and uncompromising midfielder, blessed with exquisite skills, poise and balance, Cotchin excelled right throughout his AFL career.
In 2011, Cotchin would win his first best and fairest, before claiming the award again in 2012. A year that would also capped off with an All-Australian blazer and the game's highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal.
At the end of the 2012 season, Cotchin was appointed as the club’s permanent captain.
He led the Tigers to three consecutive finals appearances, before a tumultuous period over the next couple of years where he continued to lead by example in the face of adversity.
The inspirational skipper was vital in the club’s drought-breaking 2017 premiership. The Tigers flipped the script from the previous season to win one of their most unlikely premierships.
Cotchin continued to lead the club with courage and compassion, through a golden period that resulted in back-to-back premierships in 2019 and 2020, before handing the reigns over to Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
He continued to contribute to the side throughout 2022 and into this year and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest leaders to ever play the game.
Richmond CEO, Brendan Gale, described Cotchin as a mountainous figure in the club’s incredibly rich history.
“Obviously Trent has achieved so much as a player, however, it is the power and impact of his leadership that has impressed me the most,” Gale said.
“After being appointed Captain in 2012 at 22 years (of age), Trent in his own way and through his own experience redefined leadership at our club.”
Gale added that Cotchin's leadership was so often on display in the massive moments of big games, where a huge tackle or inspirational display of courage would lift the team and inspire the Tiger Army.
“Among all the madness and mayhem, in the heat of battle, with the stakes at their highest, Trent so often recognised the moments that mattered and remained completely connected with his performance," he said.
Cotchin’s retirement draws a close to a 16-year journey, that has seen him become a three-time premiership captain, three-time best and fairest, All-Australian, Brownlow Medallist, and the longest serving captain in the Richmond Football Club’s history, leading the club for 188 games.
Cotchin will still be hoping he can contribute on field over the next few weeks, as the Tigers cling on to any hope of making an unlikely finals appearance in season 2023.
Photos: Blair Burns, Richmond FC, Creative Commons and Getty Images Embed.
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