Cotch in the HeraldSun talking about Dimma quitting:As Richmond skipper, Cotchin raised three premiership cups alongside Hardwick and said he would “never underestimate” the impact of his long-time coach.
“Clearly, he has been a huge part and massive figure of our footy club, but also for our playing group for a long period of time,” Cotchin said.
“Whilst we probably know it’s right and, even after seeing after he announced what he was up to you could just see a sense of relief in the way that he was present, really.
“We will never underestimate the impact that he has had on our lives, not just in footy, but in life. But in saying that the group was really energised and excited about the opportunity that it presented for ‘Mini’, our other coaches and our group.”
Cotchin revealed Hardwick broke the news to him he was stepping down as coach early on Monday in a meeting at his house.
“He contacted me earlier in the morning on Monday and I shot over to his house and sat down with him to hear the news,” Cotchin said.
“It was a relatively brief meeting, obviously he had so much to get through contacting as many people as he could before it broke.
“I’ve always loved Dimma and respected him. Not just him, his family has been a huge part of my family’s life and that will never change.
“Naturally, he is one of those characters that will fight for everything and anything that he is passionate about. I know that the passion was still there, it was just a matter of, as he said in his press conference, feeling like he was not 100 per cent committed which at the end of the day is why he made the decision that it was the right time for him and we totally respect that.”
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-richmond-v-port-adelaide-2023-all-the-latest-news-analysis-and-fallout/news-story/31c8cca005a226608cc6fed0d9c59d56
