REIGNING Jack Dyer Medallist Brett Deledio was about to be dropped, Richmond coach Jade Rawlings has revealed.

Rawlings said Deledio was told before round 14 that he was "going to wear a Coburg jumper".

"We put it pretty squarely to him before the Crows game up on the Gold Coast that he needed to lift in a couple of areas," Rawlings said after Sunday's win over Essendon.

"We'd come to a decision that he was just about out of the side. The leadership group were involved in the decision and the reality of him not playing was very real.

Deledio had 26 touches against the Bombers; 13 of them contested.  

"He's been able to address the areas – not just the contested possessions – of what we think will make him a better leader, a better player and help this footy club move forward," Rawlings said.

"It takes good character to be able to absorb that and do something about that.

"I've said to him post-match that he's a serious player now, because he's so much more rounded now and he's consistent and you can rely on him,.

"Yes, he'll pinch-hit forward at times, but he's a midfielder."  

Rawlings was also rapt with the "pivotal" display from champion Ben Cousins (31 disposals).

"With all of these rotations … you see 'Cuz' is on the bench and you just want to get him back out there again," he said.

"I love his leadership. You should see him in the rooms before a game and see his energy – the way he just gets people motivated and the arousal levels, which are vital before a game."

The coach said Cousins fires his teammates up with "good old fashioned footy talk".

"It's still got a place in the game I think and it's something he does well – I couldn't be happier with his output."

Rawlings is also drooling at the prospect of seeing second-year Tiger Trent Cotchin with a pre-season under his belt – he has yet to complete one due to injury.

"I am [very excited]. That's why I want to coach him for the future," he said.

"He was crook on the Friday of last week, so we just nipped it in the bud and said, 'You're not playing another game of league footy under the duress you've been suffering for a couple of games'.

"So we made a decision [not to play him last round] and he bolted into the office during the week and looked like a different guy – he was fresh and had his energy back.

"He's still short of a gallop … but he's as clean a younger player as I've ever seen below his feet – to be able to absorb tackles and execute efficiently."