Tigers won’t be pretenders in 2016: CotchinHerald-Sun
March 16, 2016RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchins believes the Tigers are ready to overcome their finals hoodoo and contend for the 2016 premiership.
The Tigers have stumbled in the first week of finals for three years in a row.
After missing out on a top four berth by just four points, Richmond fell to North Melbourne in last year’s elimination final. The previous two years Carlton and Port Adelaide broke the hearts of long-suffering Tiger fans.
But Cotchin believes the experience will help his team make 2016 the year of the Tiger.
“We go in thinking we’re going to contend. Otherwise you’re a pretender,” Cotchin told AAP.
“It’s about giving ourselves the opportunity to play finals first and foremost.
“Whether that be top two, top four, top eight, we need to be there.
“We’ve had the experience. We’ve tasted it. We want to be a part of it again.
“We want to win it. But there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Richmond recruited Chris Yarran during the off-season to improve their attack off half-back and hope their litter of youngsters can take the next step.
Ben Lennon, Corey Ellis, Connor Menadue and top draft pick Daniel Rioli are all hoping to become regulars this season.
Cotchin says the Tigers’ list is primed for the premiership window.
“You look at our core group and we’re all in our prime time,” he says.
“There’s a level of maturity amongst our group now.
“But the proof will be in the pudding. We’ve got to put our best footy on the park.”
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