Media articles & stats: Champ shines as Tigers sink Saints in wet

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Cotch a star! Champ shines as Tigers sink Saints in wet

300-gamer one of Richmond's best in a sodden MCG slugfest

By AAP with Howard Kimber
18 June 2023

RICHMOND    6.4    10.7    11.10    13.12 (90)
ST KILDA       5.0      7.8     11.3     11.4 (70)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 3, Short 2, Miller 2, Cotchin 2, Vlastuin, McIntosh, Baker, Taranto
St Kilda: Butler 3, King 2, Higgins 2, Gresham, Caminiti, Byrnes, Battle

BEST
Richmond: Vlastuin, Cotchin, Taranto, Balta, Short, Martin
St Kilda: Sinclair, Crouch, Butler, Hill, Wilkie, Marshall

INJURIES
Richmond: Ryan (ankle)
St Kilda: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Hugo Ralphsmith (replaced Samson Ryan at half-time)
St Kilda: Cooper Sharman (replaced Dougal Howard in the third quarter)

Crowd: 62,686 at the MCG

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FORMER Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has turned back the clock in his 300th game to inspire the finals-hunting Tigers to a crucial 20-point win over St Kilda.

In the first half alone at the MCG, Cotchin had 19 disposals, eight contested possessions, three clearances, three inside 50s and booted two clutch goals that brought the house down and revived the Tigers after a slow start.

With former coach Damien Hardwick among those in the stands watching on, Cotchin finished with 29 disposals to help Richmond prevail 13.12 (90) to 11.4 (70) in teeming rain and leave them just two points outside the top eight.

"He played a game of football, didn't he?" interim coach Andrew McQualter said of, and to, Cotchin, who was sitting next to him post match, before cheekily adding "what have you been doing all year?"

"Trent was huge. That first quarter, first half in particular, then some huge moments again late.

"It shows you the leader he has been for our football club for such a long period of time. He stood up again."

Boom recruit Tim Taranto (38 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances and a goal) continued his stellar form, while Dustin Martin (34 touches, seven clearances) and defenders Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short were excellent.

St Kilda's Brad Crouch (33 touches) and Brad Hill (31) fought hard while former Tiger Dan Butler (three goals) provided a spark as the Saints spurned a chance to draw level with the top four on points.

Richmond's Noah Balta arguably won an entertaining duel with Max King.

Cotchin led the Tigers up the race but stopped at the top to high-five every teammate.

Last up was fellow stalwart Jack Riewoldt, who threw an arm around Cotchin as they ran out together to a rousing reception from the pro-Richmond crowd.

But initially, the Saints appeared poised to spoil the party.

St Kilda booted the first four goals of the game before Shai Bolton stopped the rot and Short launched a long bomb to get Richmond back within reach.

Just before quarter-time, with Richmond trailing by 15, Cotchin marked just inside 50 and lined up for goal.

The former captain used the maximum possible run-up, drove through the goal and sent the MCG into raptures.

Every Tiger on the field ran to Cotchin - and it started a run of four consecutive majors.

"That was very much on my limit with regards to the distance, so I did think it would fall 10 metres short but gave it everything I had," Cotchin said after the game.

"But they're the moments that are really special. The way that I've been supported, not just this week, throughout my career, from particularly my teammates has been really special.

"And that's the stuff that I'll cherish when it's all said and done - whenever that'll be."

Cotchin booted the first goal of the second term and the Tigers nudged out to an 18-point lead at half-time.

Young Richmond tall Samson Ryan was substituted out at half-time with an ankle concern.

In the third quarter, Vlastuin intercepted at will then snapped his first goal since 2020 to send the Tigers out to a game-high 25-point lead.

But Saints smalls Butler, Jack Higgins and Ryan Byrnes struck to cut the deficit to seven points at the final change.

The final quarter proved a genuine arm wrestle.

But with barely two minutes left, Taranto burst through a stoppage and booted a wonderful goal with the outside of his right boot, then Bolton added another to ice the game.

"We wanted to take the emotion out, silence the crowd and we did that really well, I thought - we had four on the board early," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

"So we were really clear on a couple of things Richmond did, particularly through their midfield about how they position and come out of stoppage. Even off turnover, their positioning.

"We weren't at the level of applying the method we wanted with that and that hurt us."

Sparks fly as a new rivalry catches fire
A great rivalry may have been born at the MCG on Saturday night when Max King and Noah Balta lined up on each other. There's no questioning the massive potential of the two young stars, but now there's a bit of spice that'll be sure to keep things interesting through the next decade or so. King had two goals on the board by quarter-time and let Balta know about both of them, however, the Tiger was also one of his side's best. When the rain came it didn't suit either, but they maintained their intensity at the ball, and each other, throughout.

WLWLWLWLWL
It's an unusual headline and it's something St Kilda players and fans will want to see the back of as soon as possible - although not next week. The Saints haven't had consecutive wins - or losses - since their opening unbeaten run was broken in round five. However, they'll be hoping to maintain the sequence just a little bit longer with a win against Brisbane next week before, all red-white-and-black fingers crossed, breaking it in round 16 against West Coast at Optus Stadium.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/951473/cotch-a-star-champ-shines-as-tigers-sink-saints-in-wet

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‘What have you been doing all year?’: Cotchin winds back the clock as inspired Tigers beat Saints

Andrew Wu
The Age
June 18, 2023

Richmond’s yellow and black army were singing in the rain on Saturday night after their beloved Tigers marked Trent Cotchin’s 300-game milestone with a stirring win in the wet over St Kilda.

What began as a night of reminiscing for Tigers supporters finished with many of them daring to dream of another September after their club recovered from a tardy start, then held firm as the committed Saints surged in the second half, to prevail by 20 points.

A who’s who of Richmond royalty, including Damien Hardwick, Brendon Gale, Kevin Bartlett, Wayne Campbell, Francis Bourke and Mick Malthouse, were among a Tigers-dominated crowd of 62,686 who braved a soggy winter’s night to pay tribute to their triple premiership captain.

Fittingly, Cotchin was hoisted on the shoulders of two other men integral to Richmond’s dynasty, Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin, to a guard of honour from players of both sides. His three kids were also given the special treatment.

Richmond veteran Trent Cotchin brought the house down with a long-range bomb in his milestone game.

Cotchin may be well into the twilight of his career, but he turned the clock back to his glory years with a vintage performance of 29 possessions and two goals playing in the guts.

“He played a game of football, didn’t he? What have you been doing all year?” Tigers interim coach Andrew McQualter joked to Cotchin after the game.

It was a mix of old and new. Martin was constant menace with 34 disposals. Nick Vlastuin and Dylan Grimes were rocks in a resilient defence. Recruit Tim Taranto revelled in the wet, signing off on a 38-disposal game with a checkside kick for the sealer. He was a worthy winner of the Ian Stewart Medal.

Two points out of the eight at their bye, the Tigers are now within striking distance to mount a charge for the finals - a scenario that seemed unlikely when Hardwick sensationally pulled the pin last month. They have clawed their way back without Tom Lynch, Josh Gibcus and Jacob Hopper.

“The connection across the ground, that’s when you know that there’s real confidence amongst the group, and it doesn’t rely on an individual or a few individuals, it relies on everyone,” Cotchin said.

“We’re really excited about what the back end of the season can look like. Obviously, it’s been a bit of a slog to get to [the] round 15 bye, feels like it’s been a long beginning to the season, but we know that we can play some really good footy in the back part.”

Watching from the stands after his overseas jaunt, Hardwick would have loved seeing what he called the “Richmond way” as his former charges squeezed the Saints for space, creating panic.

His presence on the big screen in the closing seconds of the match did not go unnoticed by the crowd, who gave him a rousing ovation, or several of his old players.

“Dimma and I have had a really special relationship over a long period of time,” Cotchin said. “We’ve ridden the bumps, we’ve enjoyed the highs. I think what he’s taught all of us is just how much you can impact other people’s lives just by showing up and being yourself.”

A victory seemed unlikely after the Saints bolted out of the gates with the first four goals of the game. They were first at the ball and pressured hard to lock the ball inside their forward 50.

Error-riddled early, the Tigers settled after Shai Bolton capitalised on a goal-line mistake by Callum Wilkie for their opener, then produced some of their best footy of the season.

The spiritual boost came from Cotchin, who roused the crowd and his teammates - all of whom mobbed him after his first goal. More telling from a Saints point of view was their inattention to detail, which allowed an unguarded Jayden Short to slip out the back to drain two long bombs.

The Saints’ ball movement was also stifled. Denied deep entries inside 50, they were unable to have the game played in their front half to pressure the Tigers’ defence.

Played in teeming rain, the second half was a slog. With the ball as slippery as a cake of soap, clean possession was a rarity in the first 15 minutes of the third quarter.

Goals were a premium, so when Vlaustuin snapped his first since 2020, stretching the margin to 25 points, there was good reason to believe the Tigers were home.

Red time spelled red alert for the Tigers. Dan Butler pegged one back against the flow, Jack Higgins soccered one through a mass of bodies in the goal square and when Ryan Byrnes goaled nearing three-quarter-time the margin was just six points.

Though the Saints were in control for much of the last quarter, coach Ross Lyon said the greasy conditions did not allow for any more imaginative play than kicking the ball back up the line. From 17 inside 50s, they managed only one behind.

“I think both teams were doing that. I haven’t got a magic wand, it was like a cake of soap,” Lyon said.

“I would have thought our year has been solid. I thought we didn’t disgrace ourselves tonight,” Lyon said.

“The strongest interest is self-interest, no one wants to win more than me. If you talk about effort, I can’t question it. Execution, well that’s a different question.”

BLUNDER-BALL
They call them coach killers - and both sides were guilty of embarrassing blunders.

Jack Ross endured a wretched few minutes early in the game. First, he missed a simple shot from close range, then at the other end of the ground he drilled a kick straight to the man guarding the mark in Butler, who kicked truly from about 50 metres out.

It was Callum Wilkie’s turn in the second quarter, picking out Liam Baker, also on the mark, who dribbled one through the vacant goal square. Cuddly Ross did well to maintain control.

RICHMOND 6.4 10.7 11.10 13.12 (90)
ST KILDA 5.0 8.2 11.3 11.4 (70)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 3, Short 2, Cotchin 2, Miller 2, Vlastuin, McIntosh, Taranto, Baker
St Kilda: Butler 3, King 2, Higgins 2, Gresham, Caminiti, Battle, Byrnes

BEST
Richmond: Taranto, Cotchin, Martin, Balta, Short, Vlastuin, Bolton.
St Kilda: Butler, Sinclair, Crouch, Hill.

UMPIRES
Deboy, Gavine, Hosking, Chamberlain

VENUE MCG
CROWD 62686

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cotchin-winds-back-the-clock-as-inspired-tigers-beat-saints-20230617-p5dhdk.html

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AFL Richmond v St Kilda: All the action from the MCG in Trent Cotchin’s 300th game

Richmond have surged into ninth spot on the AFL ladder after a gutsy 20-point win over St Kilda in Trent Cotchin’s 300th game. Former coach Damien Hardwick was there to celebrate. More here.

Scott Gullan and Lance Jenkinson
HeraldSun
June 18, 2023

Damien Hardwick was an interested observer at the MCG last night to honour the man he held three premiership cups up with.

Trent Cotchin’s 300th game brought together a number of Tiger legends for the occasion but it would have been intriguing to get a penny for the former coach’s thoughts.

Hardwick shocked the football world when he pulled the plug back in May after the heartbreaking Round 10 one-point loss to Essendon in the Dreamtime Game.

While he said at the time it had nothing to do with the Tigers ladder position (14th) or the suggestion that one last tilt at the flag with a veteran crew of Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin was cooked, there was an overwhelming sense of an era ending.

Right now Richmond are half-a-game outside the eight and ahead of reigning premier Geelong in ninth place.

While that may only last for 18 hours, the point is the Tigers have found a way to be relevant again under new coach Andrew McQualter.

Hardwick would have been impressed with the guts and determination his old team showed on a wet night at the MCG to claim their third win in a row over wannabe finalist St Kilda.

Despite coming off back-to-back six day breaks and then withstanding a third-quarter comeback from the Saints, they were inspired by that man Cotchin to kick the only two goals of the final quarter to win by 20 points.

His great friend Martin summed it up perfectly after the final siren when asked about the tough conditions: “It was awesome, that’s the way Cotch plays. He has done so much for all of us and we’re so pumped to do it for Cotch.”

Martin also lifted for the occasion finishing with 34 touches while Cotchin ended on 29 disposals. Fittingly the man the Tigers brought in to replace him at the coal face, Tim Taranto, was again enormous with 38 possessions and the match sealing goal late in the final term.

Hardwick would have enjoyed watching the Cotchin show in the opening half.

There was no more of this half-forward stuff, the former skipper started in the guts and wound back the clock five years, crashing and bashing his way to the most disposals on the ground at quarter-time.

Cotchin had 11 touches which included four contested possessions and an inspirational goal at the 26-minute mark which saw him mobbed by his teammates.

Not known for his goal kicking over the journey, the veteran lifted for the moment, nailing the set shot from 45m.

The roar from the Tigers faithful was potentially louder at the two-minute mark of the second quarter when Cotchin kicked his second goal, this time an around-the-corner snap after taking a mark in the forward pocket.

At half-time he was up to 19 possessions and the fairytale milestone storyline was on track. Despite a few wobbles over the next hour, Richmond and one of its favourite sons got the ending everyone wanted.

After Shai Bolton kicked the final goal of the game in the last minute, the camera panned to Hardwick in the stands with the vision of the former coach playing on the big screen.

He smiled and then waved to the crowd, giving every indication he was loving life as a fan on the beers watching in the stands. Who knows, he just might be back there in September.

Now that’s something he wouldn’t have been thinking about a month ago.

MATCH REPORT: TIGERS DO IT FOR COTCH

Richmond has ended an emotional week with a gutsy 20-point win over St Kilda in Trent Cotchin’s 300th game at a wet and wild MCG on Saturday night.

The ambush was on early but Cotchin refused to have his milestone night spoiled by Ross Lyon’s plucky Saints.

After conceding the opening four goals of the game and having to withstand a second half Saints fightback, Cotchin said ‘come with me’ and played a pivotal role in win.

Best-on-ground Tim Taranto kicked the sealing goal with a banana goal on the run.

Three-time Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick returned from his holiday to watch Cotchin’s milestone and celebrate the victory.

It was a win that keeps the Tigers season alive after a big week for the club with news of charges against midfielder Marlion Pickett and the car crash of premiership star Bachar Houli.

It was a win of substance for the Tigers as it puts them back into the top eight calculations, while it was a blow to the Saints top four hopes.

The Saints, led by Brad Crouch, tried to gatecrash the Cotchin party early, kicking the first four goals of the game.

Forward Max King, one of the inform targets in the league since returning from injury, converted from two strong contested marks to have the warning bells ringing in the Tigers coaches box.

But the Tigers, sparked by a Cotchin onslaught through the middle, found a way back into the contest.

Two long range missiles from Jayden Short and two opportunistic goals from Shai Bolton was the catalyst.

But Cotchin’s goal from 50 metres out drew the loudest applause.

When Ben Miller goaled after the siren, the Tigers had a 10-point lead at quarter time.

The Saints noticeably lifted their tackle pressure in the second term.

After Cotchin stretched the Tigers lead to 16, the Saints started to chip away at the deficit with goals to Dan Butler and Anthony Caminiti.

But when Kamdyn McIntosh stemmed the flow - bobbing up for a goal at the back of a pack - it halted the Saints momentum.

Miller snapped a ripping goal in the rain to restore the Tigers to a healthy 17 points at half time.

Torrential rain saw the start of the third quarter played almost exclusively between the arcs.

It took 18 minutes for the first goal of the second half when Nick Vlaustin goaled on the run to make it a game-high 25-point lead.

When Butler bobbed up for his third goal, it gave the Saints hope, and then Higgins scored soccer style and it was game on with the Tigers up by just seven at the last change.

The fourth quarter was edge of your seat stuff with the Saints winning the territory battle but the Tigers repelled well.

Taranto, a stand out with 38 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 147 ranking points, produced the superb game sealer with 2.25 left on the clock, before Bolton kicked his third to put some icing on a sweet cake.

WHERE HAS THIS COTCH BEEN ALL YEAR?

A proud Richmond coach Andrew McQualter paid tribute to Cotchin, who turned back the clock with his best performance of the season.

The veteran racked up 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions and two goals.

“He played a game of football, didn’t he?” McQualter said.

“What have you been doing all year? That was a little drive by.

“I thought Trent was huge, that first quarter, first half in particular, and then some huge moments late, it shows the leader he has been for our football club for such a long period of time, he stood up again.”

Cotchin was not too worried about the Saints fast start, which saw them kick the opening four goals of the game.

He said “there was not a huge amount of stress” and felt like the Tigers could get back into the game if they were a bit cleaner with the ball.

“On the back of the way we;ve been playing the last couple of weeks, we had lots of confidence going into the game and knew the way the Saints want to play,” he said.

“It’s not the ideal way, they kicked the first three maybe, but always have confidence our boys will dig in and find a way to get back into the game.”

Cotchin capped his milestone game with two goals - much to the delight of his three children.

“It’s funny, my kids are always into me about not kicking goals, so that was the first thought that popped into my head,” he said with a laugh.

“They’re the moments that are really special, the way that I’ve been supported, not just this week, but throughout my career from particularly my teammates.

“That’s the stuff that I’ll cherish when it’s all said and done whenever that may be.”

GUARD FOR ONE OF THE GREATS

Man of the moment Cotchin received a guard of honour as he entered the MCG for his 300th AFL game.

The 33-year-old triple premiership star ran out with his three children and gave wife Brooke a kiss on his way out.

When he broke through the banner, he joined the illustrious 300 club, which includes Tigers champions Kevin Bartlett (403 games), Jack Riewoldt (339), Jack Dyer (311), Shane Edwards (303) and Francis Bourke (300).

LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Is Jayden Short the most lethal kick in the league from outside 50?

The running defender launched two spectacular long range goals in the first term, one from the edge of the centre square and another from 55 metres out on the angle.

Short finished with a massive 713 metres gained from 23 disposals.

WILKIE FUMES

Have standards slipped when it comes to the manning of the mark?

Callum Wilkie was filthy with the umpire when he attempted a short pass deep in defence and it was cut off by Liam Baker, who appeared to move laterally off the mark.

Baker turned his steal into a crucial goal.

SCOREBOARD

Tigers 6.4 10.7 11.10 13.12 (90)

Saints 5.0 8.2 11.3 11.4 (70)

BEST

Tigers: Taranto, Cotchin, Bolton, Martin, Vlaustin, Short.

Saints: Crouch, Butler, Sinclair, Windhager, Wood, Hill.

GOALS

Tigers: Bolton 3, Short 2, Cotchin 2, Miller 2, McIntosh, Baker, Vlaustin, Taranto.

Saints: Butler 3, King 2, Higgins 2, Gresham, Battle, Caminiti, Byrnes.

CROWD: 62,686 at the MCG

VOTES

3. Tim Taranto (Richmond)

2. Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

1. Brad Crouch (St Kilda)

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-richmond-v-st-kilda-all-the-action-from-the-mcg-in-trent-cotchins-300th-game/news-story/7f4a57a5115cce34d83b59da4378b389