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Richmond triple-premiership captain Trent Cotchin is set for a new role in 2023, as the Tigers look to surge back into premiership contention.
The 32-year old has been a mainstay in the Tigers’ midfield brigade since making his debut in 2008, but the arrival of boom recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from GWS has forced the club to think outside the box in the twilight of Cotchin’s career.
Cotchin has spent the majority of Richmond’s pre-season preparing for his new role, including as a permanent forward in the last three match simulation sessions, according to Seven journalist Mitch Cleary.
According to teammate and close friend Jack Riewoldt, the move has already sparked a new nickname – ‘Trent Coleman’, a reference to legendary AFL sharpshooter John Coleman.
“He’s been playing forward a little bit… for a player like him to add another string to his bow and play forward is important for us,” Riewoldt told Seven News.
“‘Trent Coleman’ has got a bit of a ring to it… a few of the boys were ribbing him about it, but he might have kicked three or four in a praccy game the other day.”
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Cotchin’s ferocious attack on the ball, leadership and experience is set to add another element to a dynamic Tiger forward line already featuring spearheads Riewoldt and Tom Lynch, plus Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin and a litany of other options.
The Tigers were the AFL’s highest-scoring side across the 2022 home-and-away season, averaging over 98 points a match.
However, the move has led to scepticism from some corners: with 16 majors across his last five seasons, Cotchin has never been a renowned goalkicker, which polarising media commentator and former great Kane Cornes was only too quick to point out on Twitter.
However, Riewoldt is confident Cotchin, who needs just 13 more matches to become the sixth Tiger to reach the 300-game milestone, can adapt to the challenge.
“Good footballers play good football in any position, and Trent’s a great of our club and a great footballer,” he said.
Hopper and Taranto’s arrival in last year’s trade period has established the Tigers as one of the favourites for the 2022 premiership, with the pair expected to address the club’s long-term stoppage vulnerability.
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