Trent Cotchin confident Richmond can win close contests (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Trent Cotchin confident Richmond can win close contests

    Sam Edmund
    From: Herald Sun
    March 20, 2013

RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin is confident the Tigers have overcome the late-game yips that cost them a finals spot last year.

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.

"It's the big stuff ... It would be nice to get one back on them, that's for sure."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/trent-cotchin-confident-richmond-can-win-close-contests/story-e6frf9jf-1226600954955

[Tiger Tragic]

When are we going to train for the situation where we put a team away and win by 10 goals rather than making it a close one?

[tony_montana]

Why are we talking about this so much through the media?  It should be a non issue publicly imo. Every team loses and wins close ones, you cant win em all and you wont lose them all, eventually with the natural evolution of experience the tide will turn.
If we happen to lose a few close ones early, gee wiz the media and footy public will go to town on us. Unecessary pressure

and agree with you TT, need to learn to take advantage of situations where we have a run on and put teams to the sword.

[tiga]

I thought the close win against the Saints last year proved that we could close out close games, we just need to reduce fundamental skill errors in the closing stages of games and we will be always in the hunt for the close ones.

[Phil Mrakov]

More media pressure

[WilliamPowell]

In fairness to our Captain number 17 oops I meant 9  ; yesterday was Captain's day at Etihad and all club captains had to speak to the media.

So Cotch was always going to be asked questions about finals, close games etc. He had to say something 

[Francois Jackson]

When are we going to train for the situation where we put a team away and win by 10 goals rather than making it a close one?

Here here 

This is arguably more of a concern than winning close ones as its been an issue for as long as I can remember, hence our low %% most years

[Hellenic Tiger]

When are we going to train for the situation where we put a team away and win by 10 goals rather than making it a close one?

Here here 

This is arguably more of a concern than winning close ones as its been an issue for as long as I can remember, hence our low %% most years

Last year we started to turn it around.

1 draw
2 wins 12 points or under
2 wins 13-36
4 wins 37-60
2 wins 60 plus.
Our % was about 113. Best since 2001.
Statistically we are on an upward trend. Maturity and experience in our group will help improve the 2012 stats ven further. Depth is another component. Team is very competitive and hangs in regardless of how they play. Good signs.
It is all about breaking new ground that will help increase confidence and ambition, beating the Carlton Collingwood Geelongs of this league winning in Perth against the Weagles or any other hard road trip which will ultimately result in making finals which is another hoodoo. Consistency will come and then we can talk Premierships.
Breakout years with some of our youngsters may get us close then need to work on consistency to stay at or near the top. Long way to go but the ride will not be token this time round it will be exhilirating
Just think of that nauseous feeling in your stomach in anticipation of something great we'll start feeling that soon.

[Gigantor]

After watching last nights exploits by Trent,from that copybook tackle ,to winning unwinnable ball in packs ,I am convinced that we are privaliged to have in our team a player who is showing with each passing game that he is quickly becoming one of the greats of the AFL.I have to say that I have not seen a player like this in over 20 years,he is simply outstanding in all areas.