Crunch Time 16/04/2016 - Richmond defender Alex Rance [19:23 mins]
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Cotchin criticism does hurt: Alex RanceJoshua Papanikolaou
SEN
16 Apr 2016, 01:15PMThe ongoing criticism directed at Richmond captain Trent Cotchin for his perceived lack of leadership on an under-performing team is felt by his teammates, says defender Alex Rance.
A demoralising loss to West Coast on Friday night will not serve their skipper well when it comes to his treatment by the press, despite another high-possession game.
Public support has also come from Cotchin's wife, Brooke, who posted a photo to instagram with a caption defending her husband's efforts on the field.
"It's hard," said Rance on SEN's Crunch Time.
"I was talking to Richo about this before the game and obviously he was the face of Richmond for a long time when they were going through a dry patch.
"I was asking if the media got to him - you always talk about the fact that you try not to pay any attention to it, but on some level it definitely does because they're your mates, your friends.
"If someone on the school yard said something bad about your mate you'd probably walk up and clock them but at this point in our careers we're able to be picked off by a lot of media outlets and it does hurt.
"And we can't really have our say back because then it just gets ugly so when Dimma and Cotch get questioned about their leadership and things like that it really does hurt.
"The only way we can answer is by playing better and winning games.
"Cotch's response to all that stuff he's Mr Cool, he doesn't let too much phase him and his actions over the past two games have really shown what a quality leader he is."
When pressed about the quality of the leadership as whole at the club Rance gave a resounding endorsement to coach Damien Hardiwck, Cotchin and the leadership group.
"Yep, I think it is," he said.
"We're having the right discussions and I think Jack, myself and Cotch played quite a good game on the weekend and really tried to lead by example.
"But we can't force players to play a certain way, they've got to make their own mistakes and make up their own mind as to what good play looks like, and what poor play looks like and the reasons why they make mistakes.
"Yeah, I think the leadership is strong enough, it's just about bringing those young players along but really encouraging them, and putting them in a positive learning environment."
Read more at: http://www.sen.com.au/news/04-16/cotchin-criticism-does-hurt-alex-rance#ibGM8F0qM4SflUlB.99
