- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says vice-captain Trent Cotchin is a chance to win this year’s Brownlow Medal, comparing him to AFL greats Wayne Carey and Chris Judd.
The Tigers beat the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, 22.18 (150) to 12.8 (80), but it took leadership from the brilliant midfielder in a tense third quarter.
Cotchin led all day, kicking three goals, winning 35 possessions and taking seven marks.
“He has had an outstanding year – there is no doubt about it,” said Hardwick.
“Trent is one of those players – there is not another player quite like him. His ability to get inside, then outside is second to none. He is probably very similar to Chris Judd in that way, getting out of traffic while other players would just crumble in the tackle.”
Asked if Cotchin could win the Brownlow, Hardwick said: “Yes, he is right up there. There are some outstanding players in the league right at the moment, but he would be worth a little bit of a (betting) plunge.”
Hardwick compared Cotchin’s match-winning abilities to a young Wayne Carey but said, like Carey, he needed to play finals.
When the Bulldogs challenged in the third quarter, cutting the lead to just six points, Cotchin took charge in the forward line, calling the shots and kicking two critical goals.
The win maintains Richmond’s slight, mathematical hopes of making the finals, but Hardwick insists they just want to play out the rest of the season with spirit.
“We spoke about it after the Carlton game. Regardless of what happens from a finals perspective, we want to finish the season out strongly and we wanted to go five and zip and we are two and zip.
“We have an enormous challenge with Fremantle over there but it is a challenge we are very much looking forward to next week.”
Well out of finals contention, the Bulldogs continue to blood new players. Lin Jong and Fletcher Roberts debuted Sunday and coach Brendan McCartney was happy with their performances.
It brings to eight the number of debutant Dogs this season but, with three weeks remaining, McCartney would like to look at some more new boys.
“There have been a lot of challenges this year but I know that we have unearthed some good young players.
“The scoreboard might not show it at the moment but – four young men brought in in the last two weeks – there is a bit to like about that going forward.”
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.