Cotchin received nine of a possible 10 votes for his performance against the Gold Coast Suns in Cairns, where he had a game-high 38 disposals (20 kicks, 18 handballs) and took 10 marks.
The only other Tiger to poll votes in the match was Brett Deledio, with six.
Cotchin trails Essendon captain Jobe Watson by just one vote in the prestigious coaches award.
He has polled votes in 13 of the 15 games so far this season, which is more than any other player in the competition.
The leaders’ board in the AFLCA Player of the Year Award after Round 16 is:
71 - J. Watson (Essendon)
70 - T. Cotchin (Richmond)
68 - S. Thompson (Adelaide)
66 - M. Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
63 - S. Pendlebury (Coll)
60 - D. Beams (Coll)
55 - G. Ablett (GC)
52 - S. Mitchell (Haw)
52 - J. Selwood (Geel)
50 - K. Jack (Syd)
