Tip-top Cotchin to Tigers
25 November 2007 Sunday Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein
RICHMOND has applied the finishing touch of class to its midfield by selecting ready-made teenager Trent Cotchin at No. 2 yesterday.
Football manager Greg Miller said the club had kept an eye on Cotchin for two years and rated him a class addition.
"He came down in January through the AIS/AFL Academy and we were like, 'How good would it be to have him on your list?' " Miller said.
"And now it's come to fruition we're over the moon about it. The Tiger fans will be chaffing at the bit to see him playing alongside the (Richard) Tamblings and Brett Deledios and Dean Polos in the next few years. It'll be great."
Cotchin suffered a broken ankle playing with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup finals and missed most of draft camp testing while on crutches.
He will start in the Tiger rehab group tomorrow, but Miller has no doubt he is capable of slotting straight into the senior line-up.
"He'll be a slow starter, but he'll be fine, absolutely, straight into the midfield," Miller said.
"He is equally balanced on both sides of his body and those sorts of attributes are important."
One of Cotchin's favourite players is 2004 No. 1 pick Deledio.
Flanked by parents Peter and Kath, two sisters and girlfriend Lilah Nieuwland, he said he couldn't wait to start at Punt Rd.
His nerves were soothed when the Tigers confirmed they would take him this week.
"I would love to play Round 1, but I have got a lot of challenges ahead first," he said.
"I got off crutches two weeks ago and am slowly increasing the workload at the moment, so hopefully I am running shortly."
The Tigers also added some much needed height to their list by selecting Alex Rance at No. 18 and Dean Putt at No. 51.
They passed on their final pick with a view to possibly picking up former Collingwood ruckman Guy Richards, who has joined them for pre-season training.
"Alex Rance was a bit of a surprise to be there," Miller said. "He adds real size to our list. He's a big strong boy who can play key back and we need that sort of player.
"Our third choice was big, tall power forward Dean Putt, so we've added some height."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22815754%255E20322,00.html