Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale has spoken about what Trent Cotchin’s retrospective 2012 Brownlow Medal means to the Club, as a whole.

Cotchin received the game’s most prestigious individual award from the Tigers’ previous Brownlow Medallist, Australian Football Legend Ian Stewart, at a special ceremony earlier this week.

“The Brownlow’s such an auspicious award,” Gale said on SEN.   

“He had a very, very fine year (in 2012), he’s a very fine player, and he’s a very fine role model . . . 

“The circumstances are unusual . . . but we’ve only had four (Brownlow Medallists) in our history, and now we’ve got five.  And he’s a very well-deserving one . . .

“It was a brilliant ceremony, and hats off to the AFL because both players (Cotchin and Sam Mitchell) were able to really acknowledge the impact of their families on their lives, personally and professionally, and you don’t often get the chance to do that. 

“And Trent’s a really strong family man, as is Sam. 

“So we’re just really proud of Trent. 

“We think he’s a ripper.”