Richmond the 'real deal': Cotchin (afl site)

[one-eyed]

Richmond the 'real deal': Cotchin
By Mark Macgugan
richmondfc.com.au
Wed 08 Feb, 2012

RICHMOND vice-captain Trent Cotchin says this year's Tigers are the "real deal".

After two seasons of rebuilding under coach Damien Hardwick, Cotchin says Tigers fans can finally be confident of seeing their team involved in September action following an 11-year finals drought.

"I think it's the real deal now," the midfielder said before training at the ME Bank Centre on Wednesday.

"We've started from scratch and we've built from pretty much the bottom.

"We've had a couple of really good developing years, and it's time that we started taking those steps forward."

Richmond faces a tough opening to the season, with clashes against 2011 finalists Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong and West Coast in the first five rounds.

Cotchin said that meant a strong start would set the club up for a successful campaign.

"We're not going to get hung up on talking about finals before the season even starts, but it'll be interesting to see where we're at against the better sides, especially early in the season," he said.

"Hopefully we can set a standard that takes us forward, and we do play finals at the end of the season."

Hardwick comes out of contract at the end of 2012, but Cotchin was unconcerned that discussion over his future could put added pressure on the players.

"I think 'Dimma' has been doing a fantastic job," he said.

"If the players play to the way that the coaches are coaching, then we should be in a good position come the end of the season."

Key forward Jack Riewoldt returned to full training a fortnight ago after post-season hip, finger and ankle surgery.

Cotchin said the 2010 Coleman medallist was on track to feature in the NAB Cup.

The Tigers will open the pre-season competition with matches against Hawthorn and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on February 17.

"He (Riewoldt) has really been welcomed back into the group and he has his say, and he's a really important player for us and for the younger guys in helping to teach them the structures that we're trying to change, and make sure they work in our favour," Cotchin said.

The 21-year-old also tipped draftees Brandon Ellis, Matthew Arnot and Todd Elton to push for senior selection during 2012.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/128724/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Here's the full Cotchin interview:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/roar%20vision%20archive/tabid/11454/contentid/420838/default.aspx

[Mr Magic]

Still no club logo on the sponsors board which is disappointing. 

Would have thought that with a new brand this year that we'd be looking to maximise our exposure.

The new logo should be there as a priority ahead of the sponsors IMO.

New club logo big, sponsors logos small.

Get it out there in front of the camera Tiges. Let them know who we are.

[cub]

The real deal hey, so if I go to Cairns this year I can expect a win and a comfortable one at that! Because any more efforts like last years, just ONE an we aint no deal at all.
Proof Pudding Tiges
Let's start with, at the very least a red hot crack at the tankers.

[Rodgerramjet]

There is a real air of expectation within the playing group, I think they're a little excited about what they can do. I hope it works out for them. As a supporter i'm a little worried about the first 5 rounds of the season, there is some credible opposition within those first 5 games. I don't want to see all our confidence and expectation shattered within the playing group in those first 5 weeks if we can't quite yet cut the mustard. Make no mistake there is a quite confidence at Tigerland right now. Go Tiges.

[Mr Magic]

There is a real air of expectation within the playing group, I think they're a little excited about what they can do. I hope it works out for them. As a supporter i'm a little worried about the first 5 rounds of the season, there is some credible opposition within those first 5 games. I don't want to see all our confidence and expectation shattered within the playing group in those first 5 weeks if we can't quite yet cut the mustard. Make no mistake there is a quite confidence at Tigerland right now. Go Tiges.

It's the best time of the year to be a Tigers fan right now.

[one-eyed]

Tougher Tigers on horizon
Jesse Hogan
February 9, 2012

ON THE day Damien Hardwick was announced as Richmond coach, he revealed a rigid team rule to ''win the hard ball when it's your turn''. Almost two-and-a-half years on, emerging midfield general Trent Cotchin reckons the Tigers players are increasingly capable of adhering to Hardwick's mantra.

Richmond's now customary role of opening the AFL season extends to the NAB Cup this year. Next Friday's triple-header at Etihad Stadium will begin with the Tigers facing North Melbourne in a pool that also contains Hawthorn.

Cotchin downplayed the prospect of a single-minded pursuit of the pre-season premiership, in favour of fine-tuning its game plan and blooding inexperienced players. But the 21-year-old also predicted that once the NAB Cup ended, so too would the period where players were given some slack in the name of development.

'''Dimma' [Hardwick] has definitely said, from the start of this pre-season, that games have to be earned this year,'' Cotchin said.

''He [Hardwick] has got a really good relationship with you off the field, but he expects a lot of you on the field … The whole competitive nature he showed [as a player] is coming out in our team. That's only going to help us.''

The niggling injuries that limited Cotchin to 42 matches in his first three seasons were conquered last year. The midfielder played all 22 of the Tigers' matches, and he has declared himself ready for the NAB Cup campaign.

Jack Riewoldt, who required post-season finger, ankle and hip operations, is also likely to feature in the pre-season competition.

Richmond's record of making the finals only once in the past 16 years has allowed pessimism to fester among many of the club's supporters. Cotchin strongly rejected the suggestion Tigers supporters would be bracing for another year of disappointment.

''No. I think it's the real deal now,'' he said. ''We've built from pretty much the bottom. We're just looking forward to taking the season full-on from the start.''

Asked to predict which new players could be seen early in the season, Cotchin cited young draftees Brandon Ellis, Matthew Arnot and Todd Elton, as well as mature-age recruit Steven Morris.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tougher-tigers-on-horizon-20120208-1reyc.html#ixzz1lnxydLsw

[WA Tiger]

NO EXCUSES..........

[Jackstar is back again]

Dimma saying games are to be earnt.lol.he already said that big Ivan will play round 1 barring injury

[Dubstep Dookie]

Less talk and more walk please Richmond

[10 FLAGS]

Dimma saying games are to be earnt.lol.he already said that big Ivan will play round 1 barring injury

Do you want "All In" or Brown to play in R1 instead. 

[Penelope]

NO EXCUSES..........

I reckon deledio might be thinking the same

[Mr Magic]

Less talk and more walk please Richmond

Yep.
Love Cotchin's enthusiasm & leadership though. If success was purely up to him we'd win the flag.
Hopefully that vibe is spreading among the group.

Let's hope for once we walk the talk.

[WilliamPowell]

Less talk and more walk please Richmond

 

 

[Coach]

Dimma saying games are to be earnt.lol.he already said that big Ivan will play round 1 barring injury

Do you want "All In" or Brown to play in R1 instead. 

All In will be back