Trent Cotchin applauded for his decision to remain in Tigers hub after COVID breach drama

Richmond’s Trent Cotchin has been lauded for his decision to stay in the Tigers hub and coach Damien Hardwick says as a result the skipper has rediscovered Brownlow Medal form.

Trent Cotchin has delivered a season as good as his Brownlow-winning year.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin “didn’t take long to realise” that staying in the team hub in the wake of wife Brooke’s COVID-19 protocol breach was the best option, according to Tigers chief Brendon Gale.

And he has delivered a season as good as his Brownlow-winning 2012 campaign, his coach has declared.

It emerged this week that the skipper had considered removing his family from the team hub environment as criticism mounted following Brooke Cotchin’s trip to a Gold Coast day spa that resulted in a $20,000 bill from the AFL due to a rule breach.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Watch every match of every round Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

But while Gale — who was involved in conversations with Cotchin and coach Damien Hardwick relating to any potential departure — said there had been significant pressure, he backed his captain.

Richmond’s Trent Cotchin has been applauded by his club for staying in the hub.

“I think back on the time when that situation of the COVID breach occurred, it brought a great deal of pressure and angst on Brooke and the entire family,” Gale said on Tuesday.

“Trent Cotchin is a wonderful captain and wonderful player, but most importantly he’s an incredible husband and father and family is first, second, third and fourth.

“Obviously there was a brief period when he contemplated returning home with the family, if that was the right thing for the family, but it didn’t take too long to realise the right thing for the family was to all be together in Queensland in our hub supporting each other.

“He’s doing a wonderful job as our captain and he’s in really good form at the moment.”

The Tigers chief executive’s wife Jane launched a staunch defence of the club on Sunday, declaring that Trent and Brooke had always had the full support of the club.

Hardwick conceded that Cotchin had been doing it “tough” in the hub, and that it made him “emotional” to consider the skipper’s importance to the club.

“I think he’s had his best year since his Brownlow year (2012). Every game he has played he has been incredible for us,” Hardwick said on Tuesday.

Cotchin has hit career best form since being located in Queensland.

Cotchin and Oleg Markov share a laugh at a training session.

“He’s done it tough up here at stages but I look at the way he has led this football club, I get a little bit emotional talking about this guy because of what him and his family bring to us. There’s no doubt he’s a big reason we are where we are.”

Hardwick said there was a “conversation” with Cotchin about potentially leaving when the criticism was at its heaviest.

“Trent as a family man will always do what’s best for his family and we are very much a club that is aligned to those values. We won’t ask a person to put themselves above their family,” Hardwick said.

“Trent had some decisions to make and he’s very supportive of his family as we are of Trent. Probably 90 per cent of the people up here at some stage have gone “it’s hard” and maybe thought about going home.

“But the reality is Trent has stuck fat, his family has stuck fat and we are incredibly supportive of both.”

Gale flew to Queensland to join the team’s hub yesterday, joined by premiership player Shane Edwards who he has been training in recent weeks with an eye to playing as soon as Round 18.

Star midfielder Dion Prestia remains on antibiotics after an infection in his ankle following surgery and while Hardwick said he could return for finals, it would be unlikely to see him play before that.

New dad Shane Edwards departed Melbourne for the Queensland hub today. Picture: Alex Coppel

NEW TIGER DAD READY TO HIT GROUND RUNNNING

Premiership Tiger Shane Edwards wants to play as soon as he steps out of quarantine.

New dad Edwards – who donned newborn baby Mya in a carrier as he jetted to Gold Coast on Tuesday – will complete 14 days of quarantine in the league’s third transition hub before rejoining his teammates.

He’ll train alongside dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett and Saint Dan Hannebery to name a few, with former Cat Andrew Mackie flying up with Ablett as a training partner.

And Edwards said he’ll be ready to learn, too.

“It’s going to be good – I can’t wait to see what I can learn from them, and we’ve got (development coach) Sam Lonergan coming up from Richmond as well, so we’ve had a good training block,” he said.

The Tigers are set to soon be bolstered by Edwards’ return. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’re going to be training as hard as we can and getting ready for the season ahead.

“We’ll just try and get ready and see if I can get picked for (Round 18).”

He admitted the situation was “a bit surreal” as he adjusts to fatherhood, with partner Sam also making the journey north.

“A lack of sleep, but getting used to it … all the perks you get with it,” he smiled with pride.

He said he would be physically ready for a pre-finals match before launching into October action.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Edwards said.

“The boys are really going well at the moment and at the moment it looks like it’ll be really hard for a spot. I’m going to have to train as hard as I can, that’s for sure.”

MORE AFL

‘HEART BREAK’: WHAT STIRRED EDDIE’S EMOTIONAL DEPARTURE

BROOKE COTCHIN REVEALS STRESS OF ONLINE BULLYING AFTER DRAMA

WIFE BREAKS SILENCE OVER COVID PROTOCOL BREACHES