The following excerpt is taken from Elliot Cartledge’s new book, From Hafey To Hardwick, which chronicles and explores Richmond's recent history. Click here to buy.

The 2008 season was further distinguished by the full seasons played by Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards and the debut of their gifted teammate and future captain, Trent Cotchin. The lightly-framed Edwards was a slow burn – he averaged only 10 touches that year – and Riewoldt was much the same, although in Richo’s absence against West Coast in Round 19 he announced himself with five goals.

From the very beginning, however, ‘Cotch’, as he became known, was a standout. Heavily linked to Richmond before draft day, Cotchin was a product of the Northern Knights and trained with the Tigers 10 months before he was taken at number two in the 2007 national draft. With cat-like reflexes, exceptional evasive skills, courage and a willingness to gut run, he was unmistakably a star in the making. Finishing third in the ’08 Rising Star with only 15 games under his belt confirmed expectations. 

Cotchin initially lived with skipper Kane Johnson and credits him with teaching the ways to become an AFL professional. Before then, and this might surprise, he bonded with Jake King, regarded fairly or otherwise as a rough diamond: ‘Jake would get out of bed, drive 15 minutes further away from the club, pick me up from my parents’ place, then let me drive because I’ve got learner plates. Kingy is very loyal … the characters he hung out with, the foundations they’re still built on are the same values that great relationships or great people – in quotations – are built on as well.’

Tiger fans, while frustrated at the team’s inconsistency, could see something building. Johnson and Tuck did the grunt work, Cotchin was a bona fide star in the making, while Deledio was the cream on top. Although resentment crept in later, leading to his exit from the club, at the time ‘Lids’ was often a matchwinner, the difference between an ignominious defeat or a rousing victory. His run and carry was eye-catching, likewise some uplifting goals from way out. Such was his consistency and reliability, Deledio missed only four games in his first nine seasons at Richmond. Early doors, however, he got a wakeup call.

‘Matty Richardson gave me some feedback in front of everyone,’ said Deledio. ‘He’s one of my great mates, but I must have been into him about being an old bastard or whatever, and he’s like, “You are one of the most unskilled, highly skilled players that I’ve played with – when are you ever gonna hit me [on the chest]?” And that just cut me so deep, because I prided myself on my skills. If you did that now, you’d lose the kid for a month, but that was a turning point. If that’s how you’re viewing me then I want to become one of the best kicks.

‘I want to become one of the best, most reliable players.’