Trent Cotchin prepares to play for Ballan on Saturday

Playing another game of footy was the last thing Trent Cotchin expected, but he’ll pull on the boots this weekend. He reveals his back to school preparation and expectations.

Trent Cotchin will play for Ballan this weekend.

School footy played a key role in the start of Trent Cotchin’s AFL career.

Now it’s provided the perfect preparation for his return to local footy this weekend.

Cotchin trained with the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School First XVIII earlier this week as he prepares to pull on the boots for Ballan in the Central Highlands league, near Ballarat.

“I thought I had all this time and then I got to last week and I haven’t really kicked the footy properly,” Cotchin said.

“I started to stress a little so I had a run and kick with Bachar (Houli), literally 10 kicks and I was like a probably need to actually do some form of training.

“So I went and had a run with PEGS, where I went for year 11 and 12. I actually had a little bit of nerves going into a school system, all the kids are so comfortable in that environment.

“The group of boys that are there currently are a great bunch of kids and it’s at a point where even after Saturday I might sneak down for a couple more sessions.”

Cotchin will play for the Blues as part of the Carlton Draft series in which ex-AFL players head back to local level.

Despite his career including a Brownlow Medal and three premierships, the Richmond hero isn’t putting too much pressure on himself.

“They did have win on the weekend so I don’t know whether that puts the pressure on or takes the pressure off,” Cotchin said.

“There’s actually there’s some nerves, no doubt about it, but I’m really looking forward to it. I probably didn’t think I would play another game fully ever again, which is kind of bizarre to think when it’s kind of all I’ve ever known.

“I mean, I hope that no one’s expecting too much because I’m not sure how good I’ll go but I know there’s been some big performances.

“I think Bernie Vince kicked eight and David Mundy had it on a string and Josh Kennedy as well. So I hope that people aren’t expecting those kind of numbers from me.”

Despite a sense of expectation over his appearance for the club, Cotchin is just looking forward to the opportunity to give back.

“Being lucky enough to go out there and play a game of footy, the game that I grew up loving and continue to love today, if that somehow inspires other kids to really chase their dreams then, I think that’s pretty cool,” he said.

“I know the Ballan seniors are quite a young group as well. ’m really looking forward to the banter and the clubroom vibes I’ve missed for the last six or seven months.”

Ballan’s game against Newlyn will be played at 2.30pm on Saturday at Ballan Recreation Reserve.

Details surrounding the day can be found on the club’s Facebook page.