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Trent Cotchin likely a Tiger for life after signing new deal

Trent Cotchin and the Tigers have a tough draw home. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
15th August, 2018
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Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin has recommitted to the club until 2022, after signing a new two-year contract that will begin after the conclusion of his current deal in 2020.

The new deal will see Cotchin reach the age of 32 in the yellow and black, all but ensuring he’ll retire at the club he debuted with.

General manager of football Neil Balme told the club’s website that Cotchin was “everything [they] could ask for as the captain of [the] football club.”

“His leadership and care for his teammates, as well as the courageous way he plays the game is just exceptional.

“He leads by example with his talent and toughness on-field, and his maturity and authenticity off-field. We’re lucky to have him leading our playing group,” he said.

The three-time club best-and-fairest winner began his career in 2008 after being selected with the second pick in the draft the previous season.

His selection in 2007 came as part of a very strong draft, with Matthew Kreuzer (No. 1), Chris Masten (3), Ben McEvoy (9), Patrick Dangerfield (10), Cyril Rioli (12), Robbie Tarrant (15), Harry Taylor (17), Alex Rance (18), Callan Ward (19) and Scott Selwood (22) all going in the first two rounds.

He broke into the senior team almost immediately, playing 15 matches in his debut year and featuring in 22 or more matches in all but one season since 2011.

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Taking over from Chris Newman as skipper in 2013, the Tigers have missed the finals just once under his captaincy – although three straight elimination final defeats at one point had himself and the team under great scrutiny.

Both he and the club rebounded strongly from a horror 2016 campaign, winning the club’s first premiership for 37 years after their first top-four finish since 2001.

His greatest individual season came in 2012, where game averages of 28 disposals, five tackles, four marks and a goal – all career highs – saw him given All-Australian honours and retrospectively awarded the Brownlow Medal after it was stripped from Jobe Watson.

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