Trent Cotchin calls time after finding ‘life purpose’ at Richmond

An era has ended with triple-premiership winning captain Trent Cotchin confirming his club exit after coach Damien Hardwick’s mid-year departure.

The Damien Hardwick and Trent Cotchin era is over at Richmond. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin will retire fulfilled having found his “life purpose” at the Tigers after leading them out of the premiership wilderness.

The 33-year-old three-time premiership skipper informed his teammates of his decision on Thursday morning that he would finish at the end of the 2023 season.

“I am going to miss with all my heart the relationships, memories and experiences I have had these past 305 games,” said Cotchin, who has played 305 games in yellow and black.

“I accept reality and that my chapter has come to an end. My body is somewhat slowing down and is older than it once was.

“I found my life purpose at Richmond.

“I look to the future with nothing but excitement, adventure, and opportunity because of what I found here at Richmond and what Richmond people taught me.

“Finding out that creating an environment to help other realise and fulfil their potential not only inspired me but helped me to overcome my own fears.

A young star turned selfless leader who helped Richmond break the cycle. The only triple premiership-winning captain in our history.

Thank you for always being the best version of Trent Cotchin 💛

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) August 9, 2023

“I found the move from ‘I’ to ‘we’ and that to be interested not interesting was so much more fun. I learned the power to dream big at Richmond, to say why not me? Why not us? And why not now?

“I have always given my best and left no stone unturned. In my dads words I have striven to make every post a winner.”

Cotchin, a three-time premiership captain, Brownlow medallist and three-time club best and fairest, captained Richmond in a club-record 188 games.

He is the only Tiger in the clubs’s history to lead Richmond to three premierships as captain, and his seven finals campaigns as skipper is also an equal club best.

Cotchin won his first Richmond best and fairest in 2011 and after again claiming the award in 2012, which was also a Brownlow winning and All-Australian season, was made the club’s permanent captain.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale described Cotchin as a towering figure in the club‘s incredibly rich history.

“Obviously, Trent has achieved so much as a player; however, it is the power and impact of his leadership that has impressed me the most,” Gale said.

“After being appointed captain in 2012 at 22 years, Trent in his own way and through his own experience redefined leadership at our club. His renewed focus on self-understanding, self-acceptance, care, and connection was instrumental in unlocking the full potential of our players and team.”

Damien Hardwick and Trent Cotchin hold up the premiership cup in 2017. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Gale said Cotchin‘s leadership was so often on display in the big moments of big games to inspire his teammates.

“Amongst all the madness and mayhem, in the heat of battle, with the stakes at their highest, Trent so often recognised the moments that mattered and remained completely connected with his performance,” he said.

“Through the power of his leadership he so often tipped the scales our way, and we will thank him for that forever.”

Originally published as Trent Cotchin calls time after finding ‘life purpose’ at Richmond