AFL: Richmond coach Damien Hardwick confirms Trent Cotchin discussed leaving Qld hub amid online attack on his wife

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick confirmed captain Trent Cotchin thought about leaving the bubble amid criticism of his wife but is now playing as well as his Brownlow-winning season.

Skipper Trent Cotchin is vital to the Richmond Football Club. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has declared captain Trent Cotchin is playing as well as his Brownlow-winning season despite doing it “tough” as hub life took a toll on him and his family.

Hardwick confirmed Cotchin had contemplated returning to Melbourne after his wife, Brooke, drew heavy online criticism after it was revealed she had breached biosecurity rules by visiting a day spa.

The premiership-winning coach, who said he got “emotional” when talking about how important Cotchin was to Richmond, said the club would have supported any decision for the captain to leave the team bubble.

But Cotchin, and his family, stayed and Hardwick said the importance of the skipper to any Richmond success could not be understated.

“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.

“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 why where we are.”

A photo from the Insta page of Trent Cotchin’s wife Brooke.

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.”

Hardwick confirmed Kane Lambert was battling a hip complaint and would miss Tuesday’s clash with Fremantle. Nathan Broad will replaced injured defender Dylan Grimes.

Replay? Noah worries 😉 #gotiges pic.twitter.com/4mPo98woep

— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) September 1, 2020

He said Dion Prestia, who has been receiving intravenous injections of antibiotics after suffering a post-surgery infection, could return for the finals but was unlikely to feature before.

But Shane Edwards could come straight in after he serves his two-week quarantine period in Queensland after catching the last AFL flight north on Monday.

Hardwick said Edwards, who stayed in Melbourne for the birth of his child, had done a “power of work” while not playing and would work out with Geelong star Gary Ablett and any others also in the AFL hub.

“We pretty much think he will be straight back in when he’s available to play,” Hardwick said.

But Josh Caddy will miss at least one more match after suffering hamstring tightness as he pushes to return to the side after being left out two weeks ago.