Richmond should consider replacing Trent Cotchin as captain for next-level improvement
RICHMOND is becoming the “almost-got-you-club” after missing key trade targets so improvement must come within. And it should consider replacing Trent Cotchin as captain.
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TO improve its chances of winning a final, let alone a premiership, Richmond went hunting externally.
During the trade period, the Tigers recruited Chris Yarran to be a release player off halfback and targeted an Anthony Miles replica in Jacob Townsend to add depth and vigour to the midfield.
The cuts came quickly. Matt Thomas retired and Matt Dea and Nathan Gordon were delisted in phase two of the list reshaping.
Phase one saw four retire — Chris Newman, Nathan Foley, Chris Knights and Ricky Petterd — while Matt McDonough and Matt Arnot were delisted.
Nine changes were made. Yarran, Townsend and delisted Port Adelaide midfielder Andrew Moore, who is likely to end up at Punt Rd, will fill three of the spots, meaning the Tigers have six spots to find new talent.
Externally, they also went after Daniel Hannebery, Harley Bennell and Adam Treloar. They couldn’t get Hannebery, they didn’t want Bennell after Bennell spat in their face and they couldn’t get Treloar despite the bold offering of two first-round selections to the Giants.
On that front, the Tigers are becoming the “almost-got-you club”, for they keep missing out.
So, externally, Yarran was the only big-ticket item when, after three consecutive elimination finals, the Tigers desperately needed more than Yarran.
It means internally is where the Tigers must strive for the next-level improvement.
It’s why the must consider replacing Trent Cotchin as captain.
Cotchin is the club’s best player, but he might not be the best captain or the right captain for the Tigers through what has emerged as a mentally challenging period for Richmond, a challenge that Cotchin hasn’t been able to conquer individually or lead collectively.
There’s not an automatic captain-in-waiting like there was at Hawthorn when Sam Mitchell was given the kyber for Luke Hodge, but there is a man called Jack Riewoldt.
Riewoldt has grown to be a man among men in the past 18 months and is the clear replacement if, in fact, the Tigers believe pulling the trigger on Cotchin for Riewoldt could improve the dynamics which could improve mentality which could improve performance
Three finals losses tell us something has to give, other than delisting fringe players and recruiting a player who could be a plus if he gets his mind right.
No, the Tigers must be bold internally because if they keep doing the same thing, keep floundering in the face of finals pressure, they will keep getting the same result.
Mitchell captained the Hawks to the 2008 premiership and was replaced by Hodge at the end of 2010, when Hodge had grown to be a man among men.
Sound familiar?
Riewoldt is no Hodge in terms of out-and-out inspiration, yet Riewoldt has his own attitude, his own character, which he has imposed on his team and on the game.
Mitchell was 27 when he lost the captaincy.
Cotchin is 26 next April.
Mitchell won a flag and wasn’t the best option at Hawthorn.
Cotchin has lost three finals in his three years as captain.
Clearly, if a move was made it would be seen as a sleight on Cotchin. It shouldn’t be. Every decision is made to better the team and who’s to say releasing Cotchin from the extra responsibility won’t improve his football and thus the team?
In 2011, he won his first best and fairest. In 2012, he won back-to-back B&Fs, the coaches award, was All-Australian and was equal second in the Brownlow Medal with Mitchell.
He finished fifth in the club award in 2013, won his third B&F in 2014 and was fifth again this year.
Notwithstanding his 2014 win, Cotchin hasn’t been the same dominant player as he was in 2012, when he was considered to be the next superstar midfielder.
Such a prolific team player, perhaps Cotchin could best serve the Tigers by concentrating more on his game and not on everyone else’s game.
In essence, Cotchin should play with a more selfish attitude which is arguably what is required from a team’s best player. Make the play instead of protecting the play. Run through the holes at stoppages instead of ensuring the defensive holes are filled. Play like it’s 2012 and not 2015.
Dare we say it, play like Mitchell because he has the capability to.
He is an enormous player, Cotchin, which is why when you look at this year’s and last year’s elimination final losses, you have to ask the sort of questions which are being asked today
Is he the right man to lead the Tigers?
Has he the mental balance/capability to be a great captain and a great player?
Has he the aura, presence and inspiration?
The same questions would be asked of Riewoldt, of course, and arguably he straightaway ticks the boxes labelled aura, presence and inspiration. The other two are the risk. But what is football without risk?
The Tigers will probably flat-out reject today’s observations, that’s if they even consider them.
They’ll say Cotchin’s growing as a captain, has a massive level-headed presence during the week and is a player whose professionalism is unsurpassed.
We would never disagree.
But we would also be naive to think that internal leadership wasn’t on the agenda when the season was reviewed.
How could it not be? The Tigers stumbled — yet again — when finals pressure spooked them and leadership had to be the go-to question.
Remember, this is not a popularity contest or a walk-around-on-eggshells scenario. Every decision made has to be for what is best for the team.
Remember, too, that leadership off the field is only one aspect of leadership. Standing up in finals is what is truly remembered and respected and Cotchin’s past two finals have been poor. He knows that and they would haunt him.
Cotchin is a very good player and not so long ago was a great player.
Maybe the captaincy is not for him. Maybe his greatness is being subdued because of the captaincy.
If you agree with former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, then Cotchin will be a leader anyway and that someone else — Jack Riewoldt — would benefit from gaining the leadership, which just might benefit the team.
God knows, as does Damien Hardwick, something’s not quite clicking at the Tigers.
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