End of an era as Tigers fans farewell premiership heroes Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin
It’s the end of an era at Richmond, with nearly 60,000 fans turning out to farewell legends Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. See the pictures.
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Young fans who were not born when Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin made their AFL debuts proudly held signs aloft around the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
One read: ‘Thanks for the memories’.
Others simply said: ‘Thank You’.
For many younger members of the Tiger Army, all they have ever known is a Richmond side led by a trio of stars in Cotchin, Riewoldt and Dustin Martin.
For those who are a little older, the trio rate as three of the club’s most important figures since the previous glory years of the 1970s and 1980s.
While Martin’s career will continue to be enjoyed next week and beyond, the curtains came down for Cotchin and Riewoldt with a 29-point triumph over North Melbourne.
Long-time Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale labelled the pair “transformative figures” of the club who sat in the “upper echelon” of players to pull on the yellow and black.
And the respect they have long commanded has not just been internal.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson walked over to give Cotchin a hug as the two teams completed their pre-game warm-ups.
Three-time Tigers premiership coach Damien Hardwick was also there, having recently returned from a European summer escape.
Hardwick caught a train to the MCG to join in celebrations with fans, who turned up in their droves.
The corresponding match between the sides in Round 18 last year drew just 22,666 fans to Marvel Stadium.
Some 59,555 supporters – the vast majority wearing yellow and black – turned out to mark this special occasion at the MCG.
“There really is no better job in the world than playing for Richmond and we’ve been lucky to do it for 16 and 17 years,” Riewoldt said, holding back tears post-match.
“We’ve been involved in three amazing premierships but we’ve got a lifetime of memories that have been packed into the time we’ve been here and we feel so lucky to be at this football club, in this family for such a long period of time.”
Their children in tow, Cotchin and Riewoldt had earlier led their team through the banner one last time.
It read: ‘Thank You Trent and Jack. Tiger Champions Forever in our Hearts’.
A dead-rubber between two bottom-six sides, the match itself did not reach any great heights.
However, ‘Jumping Jack’ Riewoldt still showed he could get off the ground as he took a signature hanger over Aiden Corr in the last quarter, after earlier snagging a second-quarter goal.
Cotchin might be 33, but still started at the first centre bounce and attacked the ball with his signature hardness on his way to gathering 18 disposals for the day.
Fans hung around post-game to give the duo a standing ovation as they made their way around the MCG for one final lap.
As they were chaired through a large guard of hour, Mr Brightside loudly rang out of speakers around the ground.
The latest retirements leave the Tigers with just nine players from the 2017 premiership side still on their list – Martin, Dylan Grimes, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad, Jack Graham, Daniel Rioli and Kamdyn McIntosh.
It is the end of an era which was shaped in a big way two Tigers greats – who not only leave behind plenty of memories but also big shoes to fill.
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