As the 2015 season approaches, Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has set the bar even higher for himself.

Cotchin, who will be a Tiger until at least the end of the 2020 season, wants his actions on and off the field to continue having a positive effect on the rest of the playing group.

“I had a really strong focus last year on defensive actions,” the 24-year-old told 3AW radio.

“I think’s it’s important, especially leading a club that’s coming through the ranks, that you’re able to be acting on exactly what you’re trying to deliver with your message.

Renew or join as a Richmond member for the 2015 season

“Our group has come a long way both offensively and defensively, but we still have a way to go.

“If I’m doing the right things, then I can obviously pull others into line when they’re not.”

In 2014, Cotchin became the youngest player in Richmond’s history to win three Jack Dyer Medals, underlining his standing as one of the premier midfielders in the competition.

He is confident he will be able to maintain a high level of performance in the next six seasons and beyond, with some smart management of his workload, despite the physical demands on the modern player growing every year.

“Every midfielder in the AFL just seems to get fitter every year.  Endurance is important…those bursts in games.  You see a lot of the elite players able to hold high speed running for a long period in games,” he said.

“The modern day player, with regards to how much workload there is in training, the amount of games we’re playing, and the reduction in interchange, is going to have a toll on players at some stage.

“Clubs are being really smart in developing other parts of players’ games, so they can rest forward.

“It’s about finding different strings to your bow that is going to increase the length of your career.”