Tigers signal drastic change in 2023 for three-time prime minister icon… but Kane Cornes unconvinced

Richmond treble Premiership captain Trent Cotchin is set to take on a new role in 2023 as the Tigers look to get back into the Premiership race.

The 32-year-old has been a mainstay in the Tigers’ midfield brigade since his debut in 2008, but the arrival of rising rookies Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from GWS forced the club to think outside the box at dusk of the Cotchin quarry. .

Cotchin has spent the majority of Richmond’s pre-season preparing for his new role, including as a permanent striker in the last three simulation match sessions, according to Seven journalist Mitch Cleary.

According to teammate and close friend Jack Riewoldt, the move has already resulted in a new nickname – “Trent Coleman”, a reference to legendary AFL marksman John Coleman.

“He plays a bit forward…for a player like him, adding another string to his bow and playing forward is important for us,” Riewoldt said. Seven news.

“‘Trent Coleman’ sounded a bit…some of the boys were arguing with him about it, but he might have given three or four in a practice game the other day.”

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Cotchin’s ferocious attack on the ball, leadership and experience are poised to add another element to a dynamic Tiger forward line, which already includes spearheads Riewoldt and Tom Lynch, as well as Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin and a litany of other options.

The Tigers were the top-performing team in the AFL in the 2022 home-and-away season, averaging over 98 points per game.

However, the move has been met with skepticism from some corners: with 16 majors in his last five seasons, Cotchin has never been a marquee goalkeeper, which polarizing media commentator and former great Kane Cornes has not. that too quickly pointed out on Twitter.

However, Riewoldt is confident Cotchin, who needs just 13 more games to become the sixth Tiger to reach the 300-game milestone, can adapt to the challenge.

“Good footballers play good football in any position, and Trent is a great at our club and a great footballer,” he said.

The arrival of Hopper and Taranto during last year’s trading period made the Tigers one of the favorites for the premiership in 2022, with the pair expected to address the club’s long-term vulnerability.