Star Richmond midfielder Trent Cotchin has praised the performance of the Tigers’ new No. 1 ruckman, Andrew Browne, in last Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the ‘G’ Blockbuster.

The 203cm, 105kg, ‘Man Mountain’ from Mansfield, was called up to replace Angus Graham in the Tiger team that defeated Essendon by 16 points, and he was a valuable contributor, winning a game-high 24 hit-outs, to go with his 15 disposals, six marks, four tackles, and plenty of ‘one-percenters’.

Cotchin, who won the Dreamtime game’s Yiooken award, for being best afield, was suitably impressed with what big Browne brought to the Richmond side on the night.

“He was fantastic,” Cotchin told the 3AW football panel. “He promised the midfield group before the start of the game that he was just going to create a contest.  “That’s what his role was within the side - and that’s what he did.

“He was up against three really good ruckmen in Ryder, Hille and Bellchambers, so to be one v three for the majority of the game, and give the effort that he did, throwing himself at some contests, is just fantastic.  And, that’s all we can ask of him . . .”

It was the sixth AFL game for Browne, who is still only 20 years of age (turns 21 in July).  He debuted in the opening round of the 2009 season against Carlton at the MCG, but didn’t taste senior league action again until late last season, when he strung four consecutive games together (Round 17-20).