One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on March 17, 2016, 04:54:09 PM
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'It was pretty average': Cotch to atone for finals flop
AFL.com.au
March 17, 2016
RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin hopes to become a more consistent player to lift both himself and his club out of their September stuff.
In recent times, Cotchin has come under fire, both as a player and as a leader, as the Tigers have faltered in the first week in each of the past three finals series.
In his past two finals, Cotchin has performed well below expectations, the normally prolific midfielder managing just 16 touches in the 2014 elimination final loss to Port Adelaide and a career-low nine disposals in last year's knockout final against North Melbourne.
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"It was pretty average, wasn't it," he said of his output against the Kangaroos when he became a victim of tagger Ben Jacobs.
"Yes, it was a disappointing performance from an individual point of view (but) the reality is (if) we win, we don't really talk about it and hopefully I get another opportunity to perform the week after. But we did lose and I performed not so well.
"The challenge for me is to be consistent, which will go a long way to helping the team be consistent."
There have also been external calls for animated spearhead Jack Riewoldt to replace him as captain, but Cotchin, speaking at the AFL Captains' Day at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, insisted he doesn't pay attention to "outside noise".
"Everyone has their opinion. It doesn't really faze me. If it hurt I'd probably be hiding under a rock," he said.
On the eve of his fourth season as skipper, the 25-year-old said he was still developing as a leader and finding what worked for him.
"Everyone's got their own form of leading. You can look at a couple of the guys that have been successful captains that are here today and take something out of the way they lead, but it might not be the way you lead or come naturally to you," he said.
"I see leadership as something that needs to come naturally, but developing over time. I reckon if you spoke to 'Hodgey' (Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge), it wasn't something that he's been amazing at from day one, and there's been little things along the way that he's learnt and taken with him."
Cotchin admits the finals losses continue to "burn" but believes the club is well placed to finally "take the next step".
He acknowledged the Tigers would have to carry the burden of their recent September record until they break through for their first finals victory since 2001.
"Everyone keeps talking about the three years in a row that we've lost finals (but) … I'm sure if the Hawks fell out of finals in week one this year, then it would burn.
"Our maturity levels are as (high) as they've been for a long period of time (and) a lot of our players are playing consistent football – the challenge for us is to make sure that is four quarters every week.
"And having some of our youth really stand up – the likes of Corey Ellis, Connor Menadue, Daniel Rioli coming in and really impacting from the start – is going to help us take the next step.
"If we can start well, get a couple of wins under our belt and get the guys playing confident, Richmond footy, we'll be putting ourselves in a strong position.
"We know that if we play our best footy, we can take it up to anyone."
Cotchin was also pleased by coach Damien Hardwick's contract extension to the end of 2018, saying Hardwick had been instrumental in developing a strong playing list after taking over at a difficult time at the end of 2009.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-17/it-was-pretty-average-wasnt-it-cotchin-seeks-to-atone
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It would go done way towards helping me forget a disappointing pre-season if Menadue and Ellis are named rd 1. I don't think Rioli is ready yet.
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"It was pretty average wasn't it?"
I hope he realises how important this season is for us. He needs to lead this team like he's never done before. His onfield drive and play must exceed his 2012 output.
Must have more penentration with his kicks especially into the forward 50. When the team is not playing to the required standard he must be the onfield coach that lifts them to the level required.
This year doesn't get any easier than the last. In fact it gets harder, he must demand excellence in himself, his fellow leaders and all players wearing the jumper during the game, at training, in the gym etc.
He must raise the standard to a greater level this year, he must strive to be the best, most dangerous midfielder in the competition, the best captain, the most inspirational leader and most of all make sure that he doesn't wimp out in another final.
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Blaming Cotchin for everything is like blaming Riewoldt for a loss after he kicked 10 but missed the 11th that would've won the match on the siren.....
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or like ordering 8 cheeseburgers but a diet coke cause your watching the weight
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So failing in finals is fine if you are good during the H&A season?
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Nice try.....
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Nice try.....
really though, what are you guys saying?
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Coz it seems to me like you're excusing Cotch's finals performance because he's otherwise a good player.
Maybe I've misunderstood.
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It's just a headline.
The ran with it to invoke such debate. :snidegrin
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Blaming Cotchin for everything is like blaming Riewoldt for a loss after he kicked 10 but missed the 11th that would've won the match on the siren.....
I'm just blaming him for his own disgusting performance in the EF and for letting himself, his teammates and all Richmond people down. As captain he needs to step up another level and be recognised as a genuine A grade superstar.
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Nice try.....
really though, what are you guys saying?
They are saying Cotchin is not a whipping boy.
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Nice try.....
really though, what are you guys saying?
They are saying Cotchin is not a whipping boy.
And leave them alone, it's the only remotely positive thing the dark siders have said for a while.
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Coz it seems to me like you're excusing Cotch's finals performance because he's otherwise a good player.
Maybe I've misunderstood.
Yeah you're just a bit dense.....particularly if you think that Cotchin's efforts are our most pressing issue.....
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Coz it seems to me like you're excusing Cotch's finals performance because he's otherwise a good player.
Maybe I've misunderstood.
Yeah you're just a bit dense.....particularly if you think that Cotchin's efforts are our most pressing issue.....
We were all about where this article is about 6 months ago lads.
Anyhoot lets not say anything we may regret.
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Coz it seems to me like you're excusing Cotch's finals performance because he's otherwise a good player.
Maybe I've misunderstood.
Yeah you're just a bit dense.....particularly if you think that Cotchin's efforts are our most pressing issue.....
No need for the personal jibe there, Dioc.
I don't know where you got the idea that people are blaming Cotch for everything and I never said it was our most pressing issue.
I was just trying to ascertain exactly what you meant by your Riewoldt comparison. In that Scenario Jack still would have had a very good game, regardless of the error, whereas Cotch had a stinker in the most important game of the season.
So can you forgive my stupidity for a sec and explain what you meant?
Edit: spelling.