By Roy Ward and Marnie Vinall
With three premierships, three children, a Brownlow Medal and countless memories, Richmond great Trent Cotchin announced his retirement on Thursday, effective at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old spoke with his teammates in the morning and was joined by wife Brooke and their three children for some media just before lunch.
Trent Cotchin on Thursday.Credit: Justin McManus
Cotchin won’t play this weekend as he continues to rehabilitate a calf injury so he can play the last two rounds and, if things really go Richmond’s way, play his final game in a finals match.
As Richmond figures go, Cotchin may well be the club’s most important and as AFL captains go, he sits right in the top group with only eight captains from seven clubs holding the title of three-time premiership winning skippers.
Cotchin has given off vibes of letting go all season, especially with the warm, reflective manner in which he embraced his 300th game which ended with him and children Harper, nine, Mackenzie, seven, and Parker, four, being carried off the ground.
Trent Cotchin is carried off by Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt.Credit: Getty Images
On Thursday, he said he was “at peace” and was leaving at the right time.
“I think, forever in your mind, you are wrestling with what is right and that’s effectively why I got to this decision,” Cotchin said.
“I feel like to some extent I’m still contributing on the footy field but not the last couple of weeks.
“My time has come and I’m looking forward to being able to take my kids and family to games and watch the boys that I grew up, effectively, playing with and I’ll do that with very fond memories of my time at Richmond.”
Cotchin joined Tigers from Northern Knights and West Preston-Lakeside as the No.2 pick in the 2007 AFL Draft before making his debut in round two of 2008. He became captain in 2013.
The Tigers were forever modern-day disappointments having not won a grand final since 1980. But Cotchin’s leadership, Damien Hardwick’s coaching and the contributions of his much-loved teammates such as Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, fortunes turned sharply for the team which always seemed to finished ninth but won the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships under the man who wore the No.9 guernsey.
“The premierships were really special times but we don’t get there without the really challenging times,” Cotchin said.
Trent Cotchin at Punt Road on Thursday.Credit: Justin McManus
“As hard as they were, they taught us to take the big steps forward. It’s something Jack and I have spoken about a lot this year.
“I spent a bit of time with him in Tassie on the weekend reminiscing about so many of the different parts of our journey together.
The 2017 grand final win was the start of a remarkable run for Richmond under Trent Cotchin’s leadership.Credit: Justin McManus
“The build-up to 2017, truly being the underdog and no one expecting it – that was really special. The shift [in the team] from 2016 to 2017 was something unique and then to win in 2020 when the whole world was a crazy place [due to COVID-19] - that had a huge impact on me.
“To have the kids in the hub for 16 weeks with all the boys, those are memories that I will cherish forever and I’ve found myself scrolling through a lot of the photos from that year having known this time would probably come.”
Cotchin, who shared the 2012 Brownlow Medal with Sam Mitchell after Jobe Watson was stripped of the honour in 2016 due to Essendon’s drugs saga, admits he will miss the day-to-day fun with his teammates the most and he hopes to put more time into his family and some investments including a new yoga studio in Essendon.
He was non-committal about taking on a role in the game next year; he doesn’t want to coach but would love to mentor players and help them reach their potential.
“When you have been involved in footy for a long period of time, you become a little institutionalised and I was talking about this a week ago,” Cotchin said.
“I might need to go to the funny farm to break those habits. I’ll miss it and that doesn’t mean I won’t necessarily be involved. It’s one of those things, we will take it as it comes.”
Cotchin was rested from Richmond’s loss to the Western Bulldogs last Friday because of soreness.
“I accept reality and that my chapter has come to an end. My body is somewhat slowing down and is older than it once was,” said Cotchin.
“I found my life purpose at Richmond. I look to the future with nothing but excitement, adventure, and opportunity, because of what I found here at Richmond and what Richmond people taught me.
“Finding out that creating an environment to help other realise and fulfil their potential not only inspired me but helped me to overcome my own fears.”
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said Cotchin had contributed to the history of the club and the game and that his leadership stood up in big moments, including the club’s recent three premierships.
“Obviously, Trent has achieved so much as a player. However, it is the power and impact of his leadership that has impressed me the most,” Gale said.
“After being appointed captain in 2012 at 22 years, Trent in his own way and through his own experience redefined leadership at our club. His renewed focus on self-understanding, self-acceptance, care, and connection was instrumental in unlocking the full potential of our players and team.”
“Amongst all the madness and mayhem, in the heat of battle, with the stakes at their highest, Trent so often recognised the moments that mattered and remained completely connected with his performance.
“Through the power of his leadership he so often tipped the scales our way, and we will thank him for that forever.”
Trent Cotchin: the Tiger with a premiership touch.Credit: Justin McManus
‘Players are thriving’: Cotchin offers glowing praise for McQualter
Cotchin doesn’t have aspirations to coach but he had no reservations in offering a glowing endorsement for the Tigers’ interim coach Andrew McQualter.
Cotchin knows the Tigers will need a coach who can also be an emotional leader like Damien Hardwick was and he sees that as a strength for McQualter.
“Gone are the days where the coach is just the person who stands up and demands things,” Cotchin said.
“You need to have an understanding of each individual within your organisation and how you can best motivate them and get them to work for the team.
“We are very fortunate that ‘Mini’ [McQualter] has that in spades and I think the way he’s guided and led the team since Dimma departed has been really special and something I’m really grateful for.
“I know the boys are thriving under his leadership. I’m sure the club will go through the right process to make sure that the next person does coach the footy club is the right person and I know that Mini is doing everything he can to make sure that it’s him. But in due course we will understand more.”
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