Cotchin returns to Coburg this week
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen 5:32 PM Thu 23 April, 2009
HIGHLY-RATED Tiger youngster Trent Cotchin will finally return to football this weekend but could spend a month at VFL level with Coburg.
Cotchin was taken by the Tigers with the second pick overall in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, and despite missing all of the 2008 pre-season due to an achilles injury, he still managed to play 15 games and finish third in the NAB AFL Rising Star award.
The 19-year-old has also missed a fair chunk of this year’s pre-season after injuring his other achilles.
But he has recovered and is now powering back towards the AFL.
"I'm playing VFL firsts, and I'm expecting to play about 50 to 60 percent over the four quarters," Cotchin told richmondfc.com.au on Thursday afternoon.
"I'm very excited, obviously – even at training, every time I've progressed in my training levels I've been even more buzzy than usual.
"You know it's coming closer, and it's finally starting to turn for you."
Cotchin said he was more concerned about his skills than his body after his extensive rehabilitation.
"With regards to the game, I'm not worried about the achilles, it's more just about getting my hands on the footy and remembering how you play the game.
"I haven't done too much training of the hands-on work, so it should be interesting to see how I cope with the footy, how quick it is and stuff like that."
But Cotchin said he wasn't expecting an instant return to the AFL.
"I'm not sure how long I'll be at Coburg – obviously they'll give me a little bit of time in the VFL to get that zap and the burst back into my game, and being able to break out of packs without being so fatigued.
"That might take three or four games, but it's also on form – you've got to perform, and as much as the senior side aren't really dominating the competition, I'm sure they're going to turn it around this week and that'll make it a bit tougher to be in the side, which is always good.
"More competition for spots makes a better side."
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