Tigers' shock Cotchin replacement as club names first ever co-captains

Richmond will have co-captains for the first time in their history this year, with Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis appointed to lead the AFL club into a new era.

The pair take the reins from long-time skipper and triple-premiership teammate Trent Cotchin, who stood down at the end of last season.

Tigers superstar Dustin Martin had been in the mix for the leadership role, with Cotchin previously declaring his fellow Brownlow medallist “one of many” who could step up as captain.

Jack Riewoldt, Nick Vlastuin and younger midfielder Jack Graham were also touted as possible skippers.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick gave defender Grimes and ruckman Nankervis his tick of approval.

“Dylan and Toby play football the way we think it should be played,” Hardwick said.

“They are tough, uncompromising and team orientated.

“It is fair to say we entered this decision expecting to end up with one captain, but it became clear to us after an exhaustive process that we had two fine leaders ready to represent and lead our football club.

“One thing we do value is the process itself and its wonderful to be able to recognise these two fine young men.

“We are incredibly excited to see them lead us in 2022.”

Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin celebrate. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Grimes, 30, is an All-Australian backman and club best-and-fairest winner with 192 games to his name, and is a two-time winner of the Francis Bourke Award for best embodying Richmond’s club values.

Former Sydney big man Nankervis, 27, has played 86 games since moving to Punt Road and has become a much-loved figure among the Tigers supporter base.

Richmond football manager Tim Livingstone said the pair’s on-field traits, character and ability to act as club ambassadors off the field were taken into consideration.

“As a football club, we place enormously high regard on the importance of leadership,” Livingstone said.

“Clearly, our planning for our future leadership format has come to fruition in the last few months following Trent (Cotchin) selflessly standing down as captain.

“We had a rigorous process, and after gaining a shared understanding of what it takes to be a leader at Richmond and seeking input from the entire football department and endorsement from the board, we reached the exciting decision to have Toby and Dylan as our co-captains.

“Having co-captains speaks to the team’s depth of leadership and together they will serve the overall system of the club very well, given the way that they complement each other.”

Richmond will announce their full leadership group later this week.