Richmond captain Chris Newman has taken on an unofficial playing-coaching role within the Tigers’ line-up, according to the Club’s senior coach Damien Hardwick.

The unassuming Newman, who recently reached league football’s 200-game milestone, is highly regarded by Hardwick for his astute football brain and leadership qualities.

“Unless you’re within our four walls, you wouldn’t know the impact he (Newman) has had on our playing group,” Hardwick said on SEN.

“His leadership, on and off the field, is outstanding.

“He’s a great character - one of those guys you love having around your footy club . . .

He’s got that leadership capability that brings blokes along.  He’s effectively another coach on the ground.

“We’ve been very fortunate . . . we’ve got young leaders in players such as Deledio, Cotchin, Riewoldt, but to have such a mature head on ‘Newy’s’ shoulders is vitally important.

“He out-thinks us in the coaches box sometimes.  Before our messages are sent, he’s already doing what’s required.”

Hardwick also sang the praises of young Tiger vice-captain and reigning Jack Dyer Medallist, Trent Cotchin.

“I’m spoiled . . . I get to watch him on a weekly basis, as do the Richmond supporters,” Hardwick said. “It’s scary to think the level he can get to. “He’s such an important player for us.

“The one thing he’s had over the last two years, which he hadn’t had previously, because of his body, is his ability to train.

“We’ve been really pleased with the amount of work rate he’s getting into his body.

“Where that takes him, we don’t know, but he’s certainly a really important part of our future and, as far as we’re concerned, one of the best midfielders in the competition at the moment.”