Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has spoken of his frustration in missing a second successive match because of the fractured cheekbone he sustained during the Tigers’ Round 6 clash with Port Adelaide.

Cotchin was sidelined for last Friday night’s loss to Hawthorn, and has been ruled out of the Tigers’ match against Sydney at the MCG tomorrow (Saturday) night.

He does, however, expect to be available for the team’s Round 9 encounter with Fremantle at Domain Stadium.

“Given where we’re at for the season, and being captain . . . you always want to be out there.  I struggled to not be out there last weekend against the Hawks,” Cotchin told Tiger great Matthew Richardson in an exclusive one-on-one podcast interview for richmondfc.com.au. 

“But the reality is the surgeon and ‘docs’ all know what’s best for recovery times. 

“Unfortunately, it was in a position on my face where I couldn’t get a plate . . . Had I been able to, I potentially could have played this week. 

“So, give it one more and, hopefully, I’ll be in a position to contest next week. 

“I’m pretty sure that I’ll make sure I play . . . no matter what, I think.”

Cotchin provided an explanation of the recovery process with his fractured cheekbone . . .

“The reality is for the first week there’s not much healing.  It just sort of gets back in place,” he said.

“Then, over the second week, the bone fibres start to take . . .

“The third week’s when it really starts to strengthen up. 

“So, hopefully, I’ll be ready to go v Freo.”