Talented Richmond playmaker Shane Edwards has provided a glowing account of Trent Cotchin’s leadership development at Tigerland.

Edwards is a huge fan of the way Cotchin goes about his business as the Tigers’ captain – a role he’s held since the 2013 season.

“Every year, just when you think he’s as good as he can get as a captain, he goes better,” Edwards told 3AW.

“‘Dusty’s’ performances have been ridiculous, but ‘Cotch’ has been right there with him.

“He’s doing a lot of the grunt work, a lot of the unrewarded things that we see when we watch the game back.

“So he’s definitely leading from the front, and he’s getting better each year . . .

“I can’t really believe just how mature he is, and how mature he was coming into the Club to begin with. He’s a year younger than me, but I look at him like he’s about five years older!  

“As soon as he walked into the Club, he had everyone’s respect, but he was still a kid.

“He got the captaincy at a really young age, so you couldn’t really expect a heap from him, coming from (previous captains) Kane Johnson and Chris Newman.

“But he’s just grown and grown, and he’s done it with a very little amount of experience around him.

“He’s taken it to another level every year . . .

“It’s like having a coach out there. He’s just a really calming influence.

“Having someone out there, like that, is just invaluable.”