Cotchin fires at home truthsBy Kim Hagdorn
Sports News First
27 August 2012 RICHMOND midfield gun Trent Cotchin will go back to basics with goal-kicking in self-imposed admonishment this week after he misfired in the Tigers big win over Essendon.
And the rising Brownlow Medal contender has declared the Tigers continued advancement under head coach Damien Hardwick as distinct encouragement for finals hopes in coming seasons.
The brilliant on-baller slammed on five behinds in his side’s big 45-point win over the troubled Bombers when the Tigers booted a wayward 13.24 and could well have won by a lot more.
“I struggled with a few set shots,” Cotchin said immediately after another outing when he could receive Brownlow votes.
“The wind really affected me.
“I’ll have to settle down and get into training this week and hope for a good comeback.”
Cotchin declared that this season’s Tigers continue to lay foundations for prospects of a sustained finals presence from next year.
Largely because of his breakout season as now one of the finest midfield game breakers in the business, the Tigers have clearly dramatically improved around ball contests.
They have created more turnovers in their own forward half than any other team, as well as jumped up to second in the competition with an impressive difference of almost eight contested possessions a week than opponents which is ranked second and they get about two more clearances a game than opposition.
A significant contribution from imported ruck enforcer Ivan Maric can be directly attributed to Richmond’s better performances around congested contests for the ball.
Another vital improvement evident in Richmond’s 10 wins and 11 losses this season heading into a prospective last outing victory over struggling Port Adelaide in Adelaide, is the Tigers defence.
The Tigers last season averaged 109 points a game scored against a leaky backline, while this season that has been reduced back substantially to 87, probably as much for greater intensity around up-field congestion with the consistently superb efforts from Cotchin.
The Tigers will finish out of finals again for the 11th consecutive year, but with more wins than any of the previous two seasons under Hardwick.
Cotchin and veteran Brett Deledio lamented three successive crucial losses to Gold Coast in Cairns followed by North Melbourne and then Carlton in Rounds 16-18 for a combined tally of 10 points that skittled Tigers finals chances this season.
“We’ve been really working on a lot of specific areas where we were really poor last year and they’ve been in the top four for us,” said Cotchin.
“As much as it’s been disappointing to miss out on finals, it’s been a really positive year for us and we’ve got to keep on taking it through.”
Cotchin and Deledio along with indefatigable veteran Shane Tuck will vie for best-afield ratings against the Bombers in the Tigers third win in their past four outings.
Cotchin racked up 31 disposals after a sluggish start two disposal first term, while Deledio and Tuck rattled up 33 possessions each as the Tigers established the vital midfield dominance.
"It was a bit disappointing that we let ourselves down with our kicking and Trent was one of the main culprits there," Deledio said.
"But we did have another good win and hopefully we can finish off the season really well."
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/08/27/cotchin-fires-at-home-truths/
