Tiger cub earns his stripes
Mark Smith
Wittlesea Leader
26Aug08
Richmond's Trent Cotchin has a promising future at Tigerland.
HANGING out at the family home in Wollert, Richmond Tigers young gun Trent Cotchin lobs a golf ball into the paddock.
The sport, introduced to him as a child by his grandpa and dad, helps him to relax.
Cotchin admits he has been itching for a hit for months, but the intense regime of an AFL season doesn't leave him with a lot of time.
It's been a huge 12 months for the Tiger cub, who this time last year was busy completing his VCE and dreaming of an AFL career while playing with the Northern Knights.
Taken at number two in last year's AFL draft, then forced to sit out the entire preseason due to a broken foot, the talented midfielder has played every game in the yellow and black since debuting against Geelong in Round 8.
He was the NAB AFL Rising Star Program nominee for Round 12, after amassing 83 disposals and five goals in his first four games.
Assistant coach Brian Royal has already drawn comparisons to Carlton champion Chris Judd, labelling Cotchin's blistering start as the best he's ever seen.
Cotchin smiles at the compliment, but admits he doesn't take too much notice of all the hype.
"I don't read very many newspapers," he says. "I try to steer clear of that and go about my business."
It is wise thinking from the 18-year-old, who has already seen the flipside of the press first-hand when housemate and Tigers captain Kane Johnson was caught urinating in public this year.
He admits the added scrutiny, along with living away from home, are two of the biggest changes he has had to get used to.
"But living with the captain is a big bonus. I get to see how professional he is and how he goes about things. I've also seen how even a slip-up can come back to haunt you.
"But even having to pay your own way and cook for yourself at a new place is a bit different to (coming home to) mum's beautiful meals every night."
He also draws plenty of support from his family, who have surrendered lifelong allegiances with Carlton and Collingwood to join the Tiger army.
"The support my family has given me, not only this year but my whole career, has been fantastic," he said.
Cotchin's family will join him at next Wednesday's NAB AFL Rising Star Award ceremony at the Crown Palladium.
While Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli and Fremantle's Rhys Palmer are the hot favourites, Cotchin remains a good chance to take the honour.
http://www.whittlesealeader.com.au/article/2008/08/26/41701_wpv_news.html
