Old foe’s become teammates in AFL Cairns grand final preview

Old rivals will become friends when the Port Douglas Crocs hit the park on Saturday’s clash with the South Cairns Cutters.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Trent Cotchin of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal during the round nine AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 12, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Old rivals will become friends when the Port Douglas Crocs hit the park on Saturday’s clash with the South Cairns Cutters.

Former Richmond Tigers premiership captain Trent Cotchin arrived in Cairns, not aware he will line up with three players he played against 17 years ago.

On Friday July 6, 2007, Trent Cotchin lined up for Vic Metro, playing against Crocs trio Jared Petrenko, Lee Staple and Sam Fairclough.

On Saturday, the 34-year-old will line with them for the first time.

Crocs' Sam Fairclough in the AFL Cairns senior men's match between the Cairns Saints and the Port Douglas Crocs, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

Lee Staple remembers the day as being one of the worst days in his footy history.

“I kicked two goals from memory but I remember it just being cold and wet and horrible day,” Staple said.

“I don’t remember too much of it but I know Cotch (Trent Cotchin) had a day out that was for sure.

“I think Fairy (Sam Fairclough) had a really good day as well.”

Cotchin said on Thursday, it was amazing how it all comes around.

“I am looking forward to it to be honest,” Cotchin said.

“I have seen those guys kind of progress through AFL and other journeys and I am looking forward to running out there with them on Saturday.

“I reckon I will be cramping by just after quarter time probably based on the humidity and everything that comes with that.”

Even though Lee Staple doesn’t remember too much of the 26 point loss, his father Greg seems to have a strong memory of it.

“I remember it was cold, horrible and wet day in Melbourne, going to be very different on Saturday,” Staple said.

“It is amazing that they will line up with each other after playing against each other all those years ago.

MELBOURNE - June 17 : AFL. Richmonds Trent Cotchin celebrates a 1st quarter goal during the round 14 AFL match between Richmond and St Kilda at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 17, 2023, in Melbourne Photo by Michael Klein.

“Is it irony, or fitting or just plain coincidence but we have all those three boys Lee, Jared and Sam are 34 so they are near the end of their careers.

“So for Trent to come up here and to play with them, he may not even remember them but I think it is just a bit of irony.

“It was a horrible, wet, crap day which I think they won something like seven goals to three.

“It was one of the worst condition days you will ever likely to go through in your life at Optus Oval in Melbourne on a cold July day.”

Cotchin is the latest big named for ex AFL player to lace up in Cairns, with two-time Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett Jr playing for the Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs in 2023.

“I think it is a fantastic initiative,” Staple said.

“We lived in Port Douglas for first few years and now we live in Cairns, we have lived I the area for 10 years.

“The improvement in the game, it’s really interesting, I suppose the Crocs were fairly dominant.

“And the other teams struggled to keep up but now they seem to be getting some players in and the quality of the competition has increased substantially over the past three to four years.

“The more exposure the game can get from blokes like Ablett and Cotchin and others coming up here as well as the national stage not just the local stage is beneficial to the league.”

Have a kick with a Brownlow Medalist

Football fans in Port Douglas are in for a treat this Thursday as three-time premiership captain and 2012 Brownlow Medallist Trent Cotchin invites locals and enthusiasts to join him for a kick at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex.

Richmonds Trent Cotchin celebrates a 1st quarter goal during the round 14 AFL match between Richmond and St Kilda at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 17, 2023, in Melbourne Photo by Michael Klein.

The meet and greet, scheduled from 4pm to 5pm this Thursday, promises an exciting opportunity for Tiger fans and young footy lovers to interact with the AFL legend in person.

Cotchin, who retired last season, isn’t just visiting the Far North for a friendly kick about this week.

On Saturday, he’ll don the blue and white hoops of the Port Douglas Crocs as they face off against league leaders South Cairns Cutters at the Croc Pit in a highly anticipated clash in the AFL Cairns calendar.

The match, set to be a top-of-the-table showdown, sees Cotchin bolstering the already stacked Crocs’ midfield in what could be the game of the year.

With Cotchin’s arrival, Port Douglas joins the ranks of AFL hotspots to host retired legends, echoing the buzz created last season when Gary Ablett Jr. graced the field for the CTB Bulldogs.

The community is abuzz with anticipation as they prepare to witness AFL royalty in action once again, this time in their own backyard.

For fans and players alike, Thursday’s event and Saturday’s match mark memorable moments in the rise of Aussie rules in the Far North.

Originally published as Old foe’s become teammates in AFL Cairns grand final preview