Richmond captain Trent Cotchin expressed a mixture of surprise, pride, affection and envy in his acceptance speech for winning the 2014 Jack Dyer Medal, before a packed Palladium Ballroom at Crown Casino last night (September 30).

The surprise came with the actual result – Cotchin’s third Jack Dyer Medal triumph . . .

“Little bit surprised, to be honest,” he said.

“Obviously, there are a number of guys up here (on the stage), who had fantastic years, consistent years, and took another step forward, which is fantastic for our footy club.”

The pride revolved around the resilience of the playing group to overcome such a bad start to the 2014 season . . .

Check out the Tigerland Superstore’s range of Trent Cotchin Jack Dyer Medal memorabilia

“We started something this year.  We took a few steps back earlier in the year and learned a lot of lessons,” Cotchin said.

“I’m very proud of our playing group, with how far they came throughout the back part of the year, but more so in the beginning, when the times were tough . . . the 3-10 start obviously not where you want to be as a football club, who’s very proud.”

The affection again was directed towards the Tigers’ playing group . . .

“I love playing with each and every one of you.  I look forward to seeing some of our younger faces come through the ranks through pre-season into next season.  It’s only going to make our group a lot stronger,” he said.

Watch the best highlights of Trent Cotchin from the 2014 season

And, Hawthorn’s 2014 glorious premiership success against Sydney last Saturday, prompted Cotchin’s envy.

“When Luke Hodge was holding up the cup, with ‘Clarko’ (Alastair Clarkson), from an individual point of view, so much envy for what they’ve achieved as a group,” Cotchin said.

“All I want for us, as a group to achieve, is that ultimate goal.

“Who know, we get a first one and, hopefully one day, we’ll be a great team and people will be talking about us like Hawthorn of 2013 and ’14 . . .

“Our journey, it’s only just started.

“As ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) said, this pre-season’s going to be a really challenging one.  We’re going to hold each other really accountable...

“So, stick with us.  We’re going to be louder and prouder next year, and we’re going to be bigger and stronger.”