Richmond looking forward to rematch against finals conqueror North Melbourne

RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin says he can’t wait for Friday’s mid-season assessment of his team’s resurgence against 2015 finals conqueror North Melbourne.

Trent Cotchin kicked two goals against Essendon.

RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin says he cannot wait for Friday’s mid-season assessment of his side’s resurgence against 2015 finals conqueror North Melbourne.

The Tigers have strung together three consecutive wins but must topple their hoodoo side at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena on Friday night.

Richmond was annihilated in the contest by the Roos in last year’s elimination final, who are on a seven-match win streak in Hobart.

North Melbourne’s only loss in its past seven games against the Tigers was when it controversially rested nine players in Round 23 last season, forcing the AFL to change its schedule this year.

Cotchin’s finals nemesis Ben Jacobs is out injured but the Tiger says the challenge has arrived at the perfect time for Richmond.

“Every game is significant given our position in the season, but the reality is we are looking forward to an opportunity against an opposition we have had a great rivalry with,’’ he said.

“They have got the wood over us and we are looking forward to playing strong-bodied Richmond footy and taking it right up to them in Tassie.

“It is the perfect opportunity for us as a group. We have had a couple of solid wins but the challenge for us is to prepare as well as we can for North, who have been the team to beat, this Friday night.”

The Tigers’ wins over Sydney, Fremantle and Essendon have them with brimming confidence levels, with the injury list now containing only Bachar Houli (wrist), Kamdyn McIntosh (ankle) and Chris Yarran (mental health).

Trent Cotchin had just nine disposals in last year’s elimination final. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick admitted over the summer he was still haunted by the contested possession count (-33) in the finals loss to the Roos.

But with Dustin Martin now turning into a raging bull of an inside midfielder the Tigers midfield has a better chance against the Roos.

“What I love about the way Dustin is playing is his level of contested footy,’’ Cotchin told 3AW.

“I love the fact he is winning a lot of his own footy. He is very hard to tackle and he is a strong boy and every time he does get out of a tackle it goes 40m or 50m our way.

“I have noticed in the past 24 months he has really grown as a person.

“If you asked any of our players he cares the most about them and he doesn’t have a lot to say to people he doesn’t know, but he is a fantastic character and speaking up a lot more.”

If Richmond can upset the Roos they take on Gold Coast (MCG) and then after they bye should beat Brisbane (MCG) to hit 7-7.

Cotchin said his surgeon wanted him to wear his padded helmet for one more week after his recent cracked cheekbone.

Originally published as Richmond looking forward to rematch against finals conqueror North Melbourne