Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has refused to use the absence of champion key defender Alex Rance with a season-ending knee injury as a reason why the Tigers capitulated to Collingwood at the MCG last Thursday night, conceding 17 goals and suffering a disappointing 44-point loss.

“I thought our backs actually stood pretty tall,” Cotchin told Channel Seven post-match.

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“It was probably further up the field that we didn’t deny Collingwood their uncontested possessions.

“So I don’t think it’s a ‘Rancey’ thing at all. I think our backs well and truly are good enough to cover the hole that he fills.

“He’s a superstar of our game, but I’m really confident with the guys that are there at the moment.”