Richmond defender Troy Chaplin has described Trent Cotchin’s third quarter performance against Sydney last Friday night as the best he has seen from the Tigers’ skipper.
After the team’s disappointing second quarter against Swans, which saw it concede a 32-point deficit, Cotchin sprung to life after half time, inspiring his team to an 18-point win.
During the third quarter, Cotchin kicked a miraculous goal while laying horizontal in a tackle on the ground, handed off a similarly difficult handball assist to Jack Riewoldt, and threw himself at every contest.
By the final change, Richmond led by two points.
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“That third quarter was one of the best quarters I’ve seen him play,” Chaplin said on Channel 7’s Game Day program.
“Back in 2012, the year before I got here, he was accumulating and kicking goals.
“But in terms of his desire to win the contested ball and get us up and going, that’s probably one of the best quarters of footy I’ve seen him play.”
Chaplin has admired the way Cotchin has grown into his role as captain, since taking over from Chris Newman in 2013.
“He was made captain when he was 21 or 22. It’s a big ask for someone at that age,” he said.
“He’s grown into the role. We’ve demanded more of him.
“He’s mid-20s now, and he’s played over 100 games. As you get older and you play more footy, you’re going to improve in that area.”
Cotchin prides himself on his contested style of play, and leading by example with his deeds on and off the field.
“You sit down with your coaches during the week and that’s when I play my best footy. So that was the focus going into the game,” Cotchin told ABC radio.
“Whether or not I did it in the first half and the second half, I’m not sure. We’ll have to review that.
“But that’s why we play the game . . . to feel those hits and get the ball going your way.”
