The roar facts: Trent Cotchin admits Richmond running on empty without the Tiger Army
He knows it isn’t the only reason for the Tigers’ 2020 struggles, but skipper Trent Cotchin says the absence of the Richmond army at games has hit hard. Now they need to find a different energy source.
Richmond
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Richmond will search for new ways to create on field energy after skipper Trent Cotchin admitted his team had struggled to adapt without the massive roar of the Tiger army behind them in games.
Winless since the resumption of the season in Round 2 — and currently sitting 14th on the ladder — Cotchin said he was convinced the Tigers can swiftly turn around their premiership defence, starting with a crucial clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
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But he knows they must address a number of key areas — including dealing with empty stadiums — if they are to kickstart their 2020 season.
“We are really blessed as the Richmond Footy Club to have amazing support,” Cotchin said on Tuesday.
“In reality to a lot of different clubs, we aren’t quite used to having no noise in the stadium.
“You have to create your own energy.
“I know that on TV … it is a little bit different because there are different sounds (added to the telecast).
“(But) being there, it is a totally different environment, but one that we know now what it looks like and feels like, so we can adjust.”
Cotchin said the absence of the AFL’s biggest membership base at games had proven challenging, but stressed it was something the players were coming to terms with.
“There are a range of different things going on in the world, in the AFL world, and we will adapt accordingly,” he said. “Obviously some teams are adapting a lot quicker than we are in different facets, but we are confidence we will turn things around quickly.”
The Tigers have drawn with Collingwood and lost to Hawthorn and St Kilda since the season resumed on June 11.
Their only win came against Carlton in Round 1 back in March.
“I don’t think it is an excuse or a reason as to why we are not performing, but all these things add up,” he said.
“We have a range of experience through our team … guys deal with things differently. We are just working through that and ensuring come Sunday this week hopefully we are in a far better place than we were last Saturday (against St Kilda) and a lot better place than we were the Thursday prior (against Hawthorn).”
Cotchin said the Tigers were told in a 6am Monday phone hook-up the club would not be playing the Demons at the MCG on Sunday, rather than West Coast at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.
“We all know this year has got some pretty big differences to a normal year, and you need to be a little bit flexible in your thinking,” he said.
“(The change) gives us an opportunity for another main training session this week to work on a few things we need to improve on. ”
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