Richmond captain Trent Cotchin polled the most votes in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award for the Round 7 match against Collingwood at the MCG.

Cotchin received nine votes from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) for his inspirational display in the Tigers’ five-point win.

The triple Jack Dyer Medallist had an equal game-high 32 disposals, including a game-high 18 contested possessions, equal game-high seven inside-50s, equal team-high six clearances, six marks and two goals.

Captain Cotchin leads from the front

Richmond’s two vice-captains Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric also featured in the coaches votes for Round 7.  Deledio picked up seven votes after finishing with 30 disposals, a game-high 13 marks and two crucial last-quarter goals, while Maric was given one vote for another trademark bullocking performance in the ruck, which saw him win 16 disposals, including eight contested possessions, three clearances, 34 hit-outs and apply an equal team-high seven tackles.

Hard-running Tiger midfielder Shaun Grigg polled five votes for his valuable 28-disposal effort, which included five inside-50s and two goals, plus seven marks.

And, star Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt rounded out the voting domination for the Tigers in Round 7, receiving one vote for his quality four-goal display.

Full voting details for the Round 7 Richmond v Collingwood match are:

9 – T. Cotchin (Richmond)
7 – B. Deledio (Richmond)
7 – D. Swan (Collingwood)
5 – S. Grigg (Richmond)
1 – I. Maric (Richmond)
1 – J. Riewoldt (Richmond)