Cotchin class on showBy Paul Daffey
richmondfc.com.au
Sun 08 May, 2011WITH his ability to extract the ball in close as well as make space out wide, Richmond playmaker Trent Cotchin has a rare dual capacity. Couple that with his ability to mark and kick a goal and you have just about the complete midfielder.
Cotchin, however, has been unable to show his full array of gifts before this year because of injury. He missed large chunks of the first three years of his Tigers career because of Achilles injuries in both feet and a shoulder problem.
This year the 21-year-old is showing the benefit of his first full-pre-season. His form has been excellent, but rose to new heights during the 49-point victory over Fremantle at the MCG.
Cotchin had 25 possessions (17 kicks and eight handballs) and kicked four goals, but he was reluctant to concede it was his best game, or even that it was his best game this season.
"I'm just aiming to be consistent," he said.
Part of his reluctance was his wish to acknowledge the performance of his direct opponent, Matthew Pavlich, who also played an excellent game.
Pavlich, taking advantage of ruckman Aaron Sandilands' dominance, had 10 clearances and picked up 33 possessions. Cotchin was disappointed that he was not able to limit the Fremantle captain's output.
"I was happy enough with my game," he said, "but Pavlich did get a bit of it at the stoppages."
The manner of Cotchin's goals showed his range of abilities. In the second quarter, he took a forearm jolt that earned him a kick for too high and slotted the set shot from 35 metres.
In the third quarter he tore the middle, took a pass from Jack Riewoldt and kicked a running goal.
In the last quarter, he set off Richmond's irresistible surge be creating space and kicking truly from 40 metres at the nine-minute mark.
Three minutes later, he was forced to twist and turn in the goalsquare before popping through his fourth goal for the match.
Cotchin's weekly improvement has mirrored the performance of his team. At this rate, they can both look forward to highly productive seasons.
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