Three-time Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin has relinquished his leadership duties but will play on with the Tigers in 2022.
Three-time Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin is stepping down as the Tigers’ AFL skipper.
Richmond’s longest-serving captain will continue playing in 2022 but under a new leader.
Cotchin was appointed as the Tigers’ permanent skipper at the end of 2012, aged just 22, with 188 of his 268 career games coming as captain.
The 31-year-old felt the time was right to quit the role after leading the club to flags in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
“The club has built a really strong leadership culture over the past five years and we have some excellent leaders at Richmond that will flourish in the captaincy role,” he said.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to continue our philosophy of pushing leadership deep through the organisation, and for me to continue to play a role both on-field and off-field.”
Richmond’s new skipper could be veteran vice-captain Jack Riewoldt, although he is close to the end of his brilliant career.
Superstar Dustin Martin has been lauded for his leadership attributes by those at Punt Rd, but is notoriously media shy and would struggle with the off-field responsibilities of the role.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale thanked Cotchin for his contribution as leader of the club during a golden era.
“Trent has been a magnificent captain of this club over a long period of time – we have been blessed to have someone of his character in the role,” Gale said.
“He is such a selfless leader and this decision underlines that – he has always done what he thinks is best for the team.
“He will still be an enormously important part of our team moving forward and I know how driven he is to see this club bounce back in 2022.”
Richmond missed finals this year for the first time since 2016.
berrlins
Roar Pro
good choice made at the right time, well done to Cotch, you'd have to imagine some of the other long serving captains need to give it up as well, Selwood has been there awhile and Hurn maybe as well. Geary should give it up to Steele completely. Most of the other clubs have youngish captains entering their prime I think, except Fremantle with Fyfe slowly leaving it, But Fyfe is only 30 and has a few more years to give I hope Brayshaw takes over from him.
Clear as mud
Guest
a brilliant decision by a champion captain Lynch is my choice. it will force him to the front of the group and to impose himself on the game. Two years experience co-captaining with May (also gone on to better things). Nice to look at. Vlastuin - likes the niggle and the ratbaggery too much. plays well as part of a gang that hunts, with a smile on his face. didn't have a great year this year. maybe in 3 seasons time Dusty - no. go win a Brownlow. you and Cotch have the best, funnest season ever. Grimes - see Vlastuin. too nice, too. Graham - don't see it. I thought you'd never say hello, she said, you look like the silent type. Prefer to see him take his game up another level especially when Prestia isn't there. Nankervis?????? The whole team walks taller when he is there.... maybe? Jack? No. I would have him on the wing/bench, if at all, his set shots are finished. Looks pretty set in the media.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Several cats?
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Now time for selwood to do it too
O M
Roar Rookie
Direct us all, Guest, to where Dusty admitted to “threaten to stab a restaurant patron in the face” Also, since you’ve become B1’s spokesperson, what’s wrong with “neck tatts”?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Fyfe is still young himself. No one in the comp leads with effort the way he does. Tactically, he is brilliant and as a communicator, he is without peer.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Yeah, i forgot about that year between Pav and Fyfe. Fyfe is not brilliant (imo), he struggles in front of goal (temporary yips? hope so), he is suffering long periods on the sideline through injuries (just unfortunate? body not up to it anymore? a new role perhaps?), the team has often played well without him (coincidence?)... one more year, and handover to next captain in waiting (Brayshaw will be 23). Yes, Brayshaw is young, but he has been talked up as a future captain. Brayshaw/Longmuir might be the captain/coach combo to get us to a GF... providing we have a firing forward line.
O M
Roar Rookie
I think Jack Graham will make a great Captain one day but I'm just not sure he is quite ready for it. I reckon they'll give it to Grimes or Riewoldt in the interim.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
CC-J and Sydney Stack for values and discipline supported by Nathan Broad and Dusty on how to respect community members.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Milo
Roar Rookie
Very droll.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Good move, forecast a while ago. Dusty is always going to be a leader on field, as will Grimes but it should go to Vlastuin or Graham. Fridge with Tigger as deputy is my hope.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Jack Graham will be the skipper......................plus Cotch loves him.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
'own game'
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Cotch has been fantastic! An inspired choice at the time. He deserves one last crack concentrating on his won game. Rather than give the captaincy to a bloke nearing the end of his career, e.g. Reiwoldt, Grimes, Dusty, etc., I'd like to see them back in Jack Graham. I think he'd develop into an outstanding leader of the RFC. He was born to take on the role at some stage. Why not now?
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
The best leader in the game for much of his term, and a triple premiership captain. But a wise move. His form has dropped off so time to relinquish broader responsibilities and focus on his individual game. I don't dismiss the potential for Dusty to do it - I could see him becoming a very good captain. I agree with the writer on the other potential candidates. A good step by the tiges.
Power
Guest
Instead of the boxing glove how about a chopstick? Yeah make Dusty captain and Nick Vlastuin or Jayden Short can be his right hand man :thumbdown:
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Appointed captain of a perennially under- performing team at the age of just 22. I think he’s done very well, all things considered. Very hard to replace.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Mundy did get the captaincy, Joe. Brayshaw is young. You are contradicting yourself here.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Fyfe is a brilliant captain. Brayshaw needs to concentrate on developing his footy. No change for a few years yet.