AFL 2023: Triple-premiership Richmond captain Trent Cotchin announces retirement

Triple-premiership Richmond captain Trent Cotchin admits he found ‘life purpose’ at Punt Road – and what has been created there helped him in more ways than he expected.

Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin will retire fulfilled having found his “life purpose” at the Tigers after leading them out of the premiership wilderness.

The 33-year-old three-time premiership skipper informed his teammates of his decision on Thursday morning that he would finish at the end of the 2023 season.

“I am going to miss with all my heart the relationships, memories and experiences I have had these past 305 games,” said Cotchin, who has played 305 games in yellow and black.

“I accept reality and that my chapter has come to an end. My body is somewhat slowing down and is older than it once was.

“I found my life purpose at Richmond.

“I look to the future with nothing but excitement, adventure, and opportunity because of what I found here at Richmond and what Richmond people taught me.

“Finding out that creating an environment to help others realise and fulfil their potential not only inspired me but helped me to overcome my own fears.

Trent Cotchin speaks to the media after announcing his retirement on Thursday. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“I found the move from ‘I’ to ‘we’ and that to be interested not interesting was so much more fun. I learned the power to dream big at Richmond, to say why not me? Why not us? And why not now?

“I have always given my best and left no stone unturned. In my dad’s words I have striven to make every post a winner.”

Cotchin, a three-time premiership captain, Brownlow medallist and three-time club best and fairest, captained Richmond in a club-record 188 games.

He is the only Tiger in the clubs’s history to lead Richmond to three premierships as captain, and his seven finals campaigns as skipper is also an equal club best.

Cotchin won his first Richmond best and fairest in 2011 and after again claiming the award in 2012, which was also a Brownlow winning and All-Australian season, was made the club’s permanent captain.

Cotchin with wife Brooke and their children Parker, Harper and Mackenzie at Punt Road. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“To have my family grow up within a team... I'll be forever grateful for it." 🥹 pic.twitter.com/EioIDvFoNf

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) August 10, 2023

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale described Cotchin as a towering figure in the club‘s incredibly rich history.

“Obviously, Trent has achieved so much as a player; however, it is the power and impact of his leadership that has impressed me the most,” Gale said.

“After being appointed captain in 2012 at 22 years, Trent in his own way and through his own experience redefined leadership at our club. His renewed focus on self-understanding, self-acceptance, care, and connection was instrumental in unlocking the full potential of our players and team.”

Gale said Cotchin‘s leadership was so often on display in the big moments of big games to inspire his teammates.

“Amongst all the madness and mayhem, in the heat of battle, with the stakes at their highest, Trent so often recognised the moments that mattered and remained completely connected with his performance,” he said.

“Through the power of his leadership he so often tipped the scales our way, and we will thank him for that forever.”