Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is genuinely excited about the Tigers’ prospects for 2017, on the back of a robust pre-season preparation.

Most members of the playing group have had uninterrupted pre-seasons, and the team has scored two wins from two games so far in the JLT Community Series (against Adelaide and Port Adelaide).

“There’s good energy among our group.  We’ve had two solid performances in the JLT Series, but there’s plenty to work on, and we’re looking forward to the real stuff,” Cotchin said on Channel Nine.

“Guys have been training consistently throughout the whole pre-season . . . they’re as fit as they’ve been.  And I think our performances have probably been as consistent as they’ve been in past pre-seasons. 

“At the moment, things are in good shape.  But the reality is, though, until Round 1 starts, and the season proper, you don’t know where you stand . . .

“You need to be playing really consistent footy at a high standard.

“I think we’re in a good place, but there’s always plenty to be done . . .

“You’re always going to have your stars performing really well, whether it be in pre-season matches or even just training. 

“And then you’ve got the excitement of our youth, our new draftees, guys that are in their second and third years that have shown really great signs. 

“But it’s also the consistency of ‘Milesy’ (Anthony Miles), Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca, Jacob Townsend, who have all had fantastic pre-seasons.  They’ve performed really well in the intra-club matches and now the JLT Series. 

“You need continual improvement from your whole group, not just your top players, not just your young players . . . across the board.  That’s what you see in all the great sides. 

“So there have been some really positive signs.”