From der Hun
RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin is confident the Tigers have overcome the late-game yips that cost them a finals spot last year.
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Richmond lost six games by 12 points or fewer last season, with Brock McLean's last-gasp goal for Carlton and Karmichael Hunt's after-the-siren winner for Gold Coast particularly damaging.
But Cotchin, in search of his first win against Carlton next Thursday, said come-from-behind NAB Cup victories over Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn after the siren, proved the Tigers were shrugging the monkey off the back.
Cotchin said the exuberant reaction to Jack Riewoldt's winner against the Hawks on March 9 only showed how determined the team was to win the close ones.
"It's good for us. It's a good confidence booster going into the season because there were so many games last year where we let ourselves down," Cotchin said.
"Hopefully, the (match) situation stuff we've practised over the pre-season gives us the opportunity where it's tight and we end up with a more positive result. It has been a big focus.
"Last year, it probably came back to our leadership on-field ... we didn't stand up. We've spent a lot of time training those situations.
"There's obviously going to be times when we will slip up. That's footy, but I think we'll be in a better position than we were. It's both (strategic and mental).
"You've got to have the confidence to shut out a game and we didn't have that capability last year, so to see it happen in the last few weeks has been good for us."
Richmond's new captain is one of a number of Tigers who have never tasted success against the Blues.
Amazingly, Cotchin's seven matches against Carlton have all ended in defeat.
Carlton has won the past nine meetings between the two sides, dating back to Round 1, 2008.
"We're looking forward to the challenge. I think it's a very important game. It's the start of the season and we want to get off to a positive start," Cotchin said.
"We've had a good preparation, as has Carlton. It's Mick's first official game as coach and there's excitement around our side.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/trent-cotchin-confident-richmond-can-win-close-contests/story-e6frf9jf-1226600954955Edited to add link to HUN website