Trent Cotchin has moved into equal-second place on the list for most games as Richmond’s captain.
Last night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium was Cotchin’s 160th game as the Tigers’ skipper, so he now joins Club ‘Immortal’ Jack Dyer in second spot behind Percy Bentley, who is the record-holder with 168 games.
Cotchin was just 20 years and 11 days old, when he had his first game (29th AFL match overall) as the Tigers’ captain, in Round 4 of the 2010 season against Melbourne, filling in for injured skipper Chris Newman.
He took over from Newman as Richmond’s permanent captain at the end of 2012 and, eight years on, is revered for his inspirational on-field leadership.
The dual Tigers premiership captain is now the second-longest serving skipper in the AFL competition, behind only Geelong’s Joel Selwood.
After missing three games with a hamstring injury, Cotchin returned to play a valuable role in Richmond’s impressive 41-point victory over the Bulldogs last night.
He had 17 disposals, three clearances, three intercepts, five score involvements and six tackles (the second most by any player on the ground).
“I thought the skipper was instrumental,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said in his post-match press conference.
“His best form of leadership is leading on the ground and it was noticeable having him in and around the clinches . . .
“He led from the front with his physicality.”
