As disappointed as Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was to lose a tight contest against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night, he took plenty of positives out of the Tigers’ performance – in particular, the excitement generated by the team’s group of young players.

“I thought our intensity and effort was really good for the majority of the game, if not the whole game.  They just managed to kick a couple of goals that really hurt us in the end,” Cotchin said on Triple M.

“There was some really positive stuff that came out of the game, especially with young Oleg (Markov), Connor Menadue, who had eight tackles from a wing and forward and young Jason Castagna, who was good as well in patches. 

“So, it’s good signs from our younger players coming through. 

“They really impacted when the game was on the line.”

Cotchin believes the energy and enthusiasm of the Tigers’ younger players had an uplifting effect on the entire team.

“I think the way they play the game tends to tell the more senior guys to release the shackles a bit and play on instinct. 

“That’s why they’re good players and they’ve been drafted to our football club. 

“Obviously we follow a process, as everyone’s expected to do, but some of their flair and their run-and-carry was really noticeable tonight (last Saturday night).”