Jack Dyer never got to see Trent Cotchin play.

Dyer, acclaimed as the greatest Tiger of them all, passed away 20 years ago this month (August 23, 2003).

That was four and a bit years before Richmond secured Cotchin’s talented services with its first pick (No. 2 overall) in the 2007 AFL national draft.

‘Captain Blood’ would have loved the way Cotchin played the game and how he helped lift the Tigers from mediocrity to such great heights through his on-field leadership.

Jack Dyer is the embodiment of Richmond’s famous “Eat ‘em Alive” spirit; Trent Cotchin the personification of the Club’s ‘Strong and Bold’ ethos.

While Cotchin didn’t possess the raw-boned ruggedness and on-field ruthlessness of Dyer, he so frequently set the tone or turned the tide for the Tigers’ team throughout matches with his fierce, unrelenting attack on the football.

And just like Captain Blood, ‘Captain Cotchin’ always did everything in his power to lift the Tigers when the going was at its toughest.

As Cotchin said at his retirement announcement press conference yesterday: “I’m proud to stand in front of you today and know while I’m imperfect and got it wrong plenty that I have always given my best and left no stone unturned . . . I’ve strived to make every post a winner”.

In my early years as a Richmond supporter, Jack Dyer’s tremendous passion for the Tigers, which was always evident through his football media work, had a profound impact on me.

He bled Yellow and Black, and I took a decent transfusion from him in a metaphorical sense.

Clearly, the players Dyer led on the field of battle during his time as Richmond’s captain were similarly stirred by Captain Blood’s unconditional love for the Club.

Cotchin has had much the same influence on today’s Tigers.

How could they not be motivated watching Cotchin constantly using his body as a battering ram when hunting the football on match-day!

The triple Tiger premiership captain most definitely would not have been out of place playing rover or ruck-rover to ruckman Dyer during the 1930s and 40s (notwithstanding the fact that Captain Blood, at 185cm, was the same height as Cotchin).

Indeed, what a dynamic combination that would have been . . . two fearless on-field leaders busting their guts to ensure victory for their beloved Tigers and inspiring all those around them wearing the famous Yellow and Black colours.