GARY Ablett, Chris Judd, Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Trent Cotchin.

At first glance, it would seem there is one odd name out when looking at that list of midfielders. The first four have a host of Brownlow Medals, premierships and Norm Smith medals, while the fifth is a 22-year-old who hasn't even played in a final.

But Cotchin is fast earning the right to be bracketed with the competition's elite and the only thing separating him from the very best is the lack of success to have come Richmond's way, according to teammate Daniel Jackson.

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"If he played in a successful era like those guys have, we probably would be naming him with that bunch," Jackson said after Sunday's 70-point defeat of the Western Bulldogs.

"Hopefully for us he keeps playing better and better and we keep winning more games and start playing finals and you'll see Trent Cotchin's number on many a kid's back."

Cotchin was nothing short of brilliant for Richmond on Sunday, gathering 35 disposals (14 contested), winning six centre clearances and booting three goals.

After an injury-riddled first couple of seasons in the AFL system, Jackson said the football world is now well aware of why the Tigers have always rated Cotchin so highly.

"Early on in his career people might have accused him of not developing quickly," he said.

"We saw the hard work he was doing and he had to get his body right, which he did. That was his first priority and now you can see the momentum he is gaining. It's not just because he's a star, it's because he is a genuine, hard worker."

Cotchin's immense talent alone makes him Richmond's most valuable asset but Jackson said his leadership qualities and team-first ethos have added another dimension to his game.

"He's up there with the skipper (Chris Newman). We all have huge respect for the skipper and he's been able to teach Cotch so much stuff. Cotch is all about the other guys, he's all about the Richmond Tigers and he is all about our jumper," he said.

"That is how he plays and it's exactly how he leads. It's got nothing to do with him individually, it's all about what he can do to make the team better."

Not usually one to heap praise on individuals, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauded Cotchin, comparing his spatial awareness to Judd at his prime.

"He is similar to Chris Judd that way in that he can get out of traffic where other players would just crumble in the tackle. We're very lucky to have him at our footy club, he is certainly going to be a better player considering he is only 22 years of age," Hardwick said.

Hardwick went so far as to say Cotchin could be a strong chance for the Brownlow Medal.

"He's right up there. There are some outstanding players in the League at the moment, make no doubt about that," he said.

"He'd certainly be worth a little bit of a plunge I would say."

Luke Holmesby is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_Luke