Trent Cotchin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trent Cotchin |
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Cotchin with Richmond in June 2017
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Trent William Cotchin | ||
| Date of birth | 7 April 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Northern Knights (TAC Cup) West Preston Lakeside Football club NFL |
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| Draft | No. 2, 2007 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 8, 2008, Richmond v. Geelong, at MCG |
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| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Trent William Cotchin (born 7 April 1990) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is known as an All-Australian player, a three-time winner of Richmond's best and fairest award (the Jack Dyer Medal), a Brownlow medallist, and a three-time premiership winning captain. Cotchin led the club to premierships in 2017, 2019, and 2020, ending a 37-year wait for a championship in 2017.
Contents
Trent Cotchin's Football Journey
Early Life and Junior Football
Trent Cotchin grew up in Reservoir and later in Wollert, both near Melbourne. He started playing junior football with West Preston Lakeside in the Northern Football League. At 16, he joined the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, a top junior league.
In 2006, Trent was chosen to captain the Victorian Metro team in the under-16 national championships. The next year, he trained with the Richmond Football Club as part of the AIS/AFL Academy. He even had a poster of his favorite player, Brett Deledio, who later became his teammate at Richmond.
Trent went to high school at Parade College and Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School. He was a key player in his school's 2007 state championship win. Before the 2007 AFL draft, experts saw Trent as a top pick because of his skill and ability to read the game.
Starting His AFL Career
Drafted to Richmond
Trent was drafted by Richmond as the second overall pick in the 2007 AFL draft. He was given the number nine guernsey, which had been worn by former captain Wayne Campbell. When he joined Richmond, Trent had to recover from a foot injury. He missed much of the pre-season training, doing swimming and bike sessions instead.
Trent played four games with Richmond's VFL team, Coburg, before making his senior AFL debut in round 8 of the 2008 AFL season against Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He had a great start, getting 16 disposals and kicking two goals, with one coming from his very first kick! In round 12, he was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. He played 15 games in his first season, averaging 16.4 disposals. He finished third in the Rising Star award.
Facing Challenges in 2009 and 2010
In 2009, Trent again had Achilles problems and missed the first seven games. He returned to play ten games but his season ended early due to a hip injury, which needed surgery.
By 2010, Trent was fully fit for the first time. His teammates voted him into the club's leadership group, showing they trusted his leadership even before he turned 20. He played in 15 games, averaging 18.6 disposals. He even captained the team for the first time in round 4 when regular captain Chris Newman was out.
Becoming a Star Player
2011: First Best and Fairest Award
In 2011, Trent had his first full pre-season without major injuries. He showed strong form early on, getting 30 disposals in a game against Collingwood. In round 7, he kicked a career-high four goals. He also won the Yiooken Award as the best player in the Dreamtime at the 'G game against Essendon. He played all 22 matches that season, a first for him. Trent won his first Jack Dyer Medal, the club's best and fairest award, and received 15 Brownlow Medal votes.
2012: Brownlow Medal Winner
Before the 2012 season, Trent was made the club's vice-captain. He had a fantastic year, with 38 disposals in a game against Gold Coast and a best-on-ground performance with 35 disposals and three goals against the Western Bulldogs. Football experts praised him, comparing him to great players like Chris Judd and Gary Ablett Jr..
Trent won many awards that year. He was selected for the 2012 All-Australian team and won the AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player of the Year award. He also won his second straight Jack Dyer Medal.
On Brownlow Medal night, Trent was a favorite. He finished with 26 votes, tied for second place. Later, in 2016, the AFL decided that Jobe Watson, who originally won, was ineligible. This meant Trent (along with Sam Mitchell) was officially awarded the Brownlow Medal on 13 December 2016.
Leading the Tigers
2013: Youngest Captain in Over 100 Years
On 23 November 2012, Trent was announced as Richmond's captain for the 2013 season. At 22, he became the youngest Richmond captain in over 100 years. He chose to keep his number nine guernsey instead of the number seventeen, which some captains wore to honor club legend Jack Dyer.
Trent started the season strongly, averaging over 30 disposals in his first few games. He played his 100th AFL game in round 16. Under his leadership, Richmond made the finals for the first time since 2001. They finished fifth but lost their first final to Carlton. Trent led the club in disposals and clearances and finished fifth in the club's best and fairest count. He received 19 Brownlow votes, making him the first Richmond player to get 15 or more votes in three seasons in a row.
2014: Another Jack Dyer Medal
Trent aimed for a more consistent season in 2014. He started well, but faced strong tagging from opponents. In round 15, he had an amazing game, kicking a career-best five goals and getting 31 disposals against St Kilda. He won the Ian Stewart Medal for this performance. Richmond had an incredible comeback, winning nine straight games to make the finals. However, they lost their first final to Port Adelaide. Trent won his third Jack Dyer Medal at the end of the season, becoming the youngest Richmond player to do so.
2015: Continued Leadership
In December 2014, Trent signed a five-year contract extension with Richmond. He started the 2015 season slowly but was praised by coach Damien Hardwick for his leadership in later games. Former Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown called him one of the best captains in the league. Richmond made the finals again, but lost their first game to North Melbourne.
2016: A Challenging Year
Trent remained captain for his fourth season in 2016, despite some media criticism. He had a strong start to the season, averaging 30.4 disposals. In round 6, he fractured his cheekbone but played through the game. He missed two matches but returned with a career-high 39 disposals. Despite his strong play, Richmond missed the finals for the first time under his captaincy. Trent later said 2016 was "the worst season of (his) career and the most challenging year of (his) life."
2017: Premiership Glory
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Trent was again appointed captain in 2017. He had a fantastic season, leading Richmond to their best start since 1995. In round 7, he captained Richmond for the 100th time, becoming only the fifth player in the club's history to do so. He also broke the club record for most career tackles.
Richmond finished in the top four for the first time in 16 years. Trent led his team to a big win against Geelong in the qualifying final, their first finals win under his leadership. They then won the preliminary final, reaching the Grand Final for the first time in 35 years. There was some concern he might miss the Grand Final due to an incident, but he was cleared to play.
Trent led Richmond to an amazing 48-point victory over Adelaide in the Grand Final, captaining the club to its first premiership since 1980! He also set a new club record for tackles in a season with 139.
2018: Best Captain Award
Trent was ranked among the league's best players before the 2018 season. He had a great start, earning maximum votes from coaches in several games. He missed one game due to a minor knee injury but returned strong. He was named in mid-year All-Australian squads. Trent was voted the league's best captain by the Players Association. Richmond finished as minor premiers but were surprisingly knocked out in the preliminary final by Collingwood.
2019: Second Premiership
Trent started 2019 well, but suffered a hamstring injury in round 3, which kept him out for seven weeks. He returned in round 11, but had another hamstring issue in round 13. He played his 150th game as Richmond captain in round 18, becoming the third player in club history to do so.
Despite injuries, Trent led Richmond to a strong finish. He was crucial in their qualifying final win over the Brisbane Lions. In the preliminary final, his tackle in the third quarter helped spark a comeback victory over Geelong. In the Grand Final, Trent led Richmond to an 89-point win over Greater Western Sydney, securing his second premiership as captain in three years. Coach Damien Hardwick called him "one of the great leaders" of the club.
2020: Three-Time Premiership Captain
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Trent captained Victoria in the 2020 State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match, where he was named among the best players. The AFL season started with unusual conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with games played without crowds. Trent suffered another minor hamstring injury in round 5.
After returning, Trent passed club legend Jack Dyer to become second on the list for most games played as captain. He was rested for one game but had best-on-ground performances against Gold Coast and West Coast. In the semi-final, he broke Percy Bentley's club record for most games as captain, leading the team in his 169th game in charge. He also played his 250th career match in the preliminary final.
Trent became Richmond's first-ever three-time premiership captain, leading his side to a 31-point Grand Final victory over Geelong. He played 17 of 21 possible matches in this historic season.
2021: Stepping Down as Captain
Trent played in Richmond's first pre-season match in 2021. He had a strong start to the season but suffered minor hamstring soreness in round 3 and another hamstring injury in round 7, which kept him out for three matches.
On 14 September 2021, Trent announced that he was stepping down as Richmond captain, saying it was the right time for him to do so.
2023: Retirement
On 10 August 2023, Trent Cotchin announced he would retire at the end of the 2023 AFL season. He played his final match in round 23 against North Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, alongside fellow retiring player Jack Riewoldt.
Player Profile
Trent Cotchin is known as a strong inside midfielder who wins a lot of the ball. He can also play as a resting forward when he's not in the midfield.
In 2019/20, he was named the 23rd best player of the 2010s by the Herald Sun. After his 2020 premiership win, he became Richmond's first captain to win three premierships.
Statistics
Updated to the end of round 23, 2023.
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2008 | Richmond | 9 | 15 | 9 | 5 | 134 | 112 | 246 | 73 | 32 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 8.9 | 7.5 | 16.4 | 4.9 | 2.1 | 2 |
| 2009 | Richmond | 9 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 86 | 91 | 177 | 40 | 21 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 17.7 | 4 | 2.1 | 1 |
| 2010 | Richmond | 9 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 202 | 130 | 332 | 40 | 66 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 11.9 | 7.7 | 18.6 | 2.4 | 3.9 | 2 |
| 2011 | Richmond | 9 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 372 | 158 | 530 | 80 | 73 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 16.9 | 7.2 | 24.1 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 15 |
| 2012 | Richmond | 9 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 372 | 234 | 606 | 92 | 107 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 16.9 | 10.6 | 27.5 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 26± |
| 2013 | Richmond | 9 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 365 | 206 | 571 | 86 | 75 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 16.6 | 9.4 | 26.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 19 |
| 2014 | Richmond | 9 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 360 | 237 | 597 | 80 | 95 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 15.7 | 10.3 | 26.0 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 18 |
| 2015 | Richmond | 9 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 313 | 227 | 540 | 71 | 74 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 14.2 | 10.3 | 24.5 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 17 |
| 2016 | Richmond | 9 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 291 | 248 | 539 | 56 | 92 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 14.6 | 12.4 | 27.0 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 9 |
| 2017# | Richmond | 9 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 347 | 243 | 590 | 85 | 139 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 13.9 | 9.7 | 23.6 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 8 |
| 2018 | Richmond | 9 | 22 | 5 | 13 | 255 | 230 | 485 | 49 | 103 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 11.6 | 10.5 | 22.0 | 2.2 | 4.7 | 10 |
| 2019# | Richmond | 9 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 159 | 118 | 277 | 37 | 44 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 11.4 | 8.4 | 19.8 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6 |
| 2020# | Richmond | 9 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 176 | 135 | 311 | 39 | 55 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 10.4 | 7.9 | 18.3 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 5 |
| 2021 | Richmond | 9 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 206 | 147 | 353 | 53 | 57 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 12.1 | 8.6 | 20.8 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3 |
| 2022 | Richmond | 9 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 220 | 211 | 431 | 59 | 54 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 11.6 | 11.1 | 22.7 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 5 |
| 2023 | Richmond | 9 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 161 | 150 | 311 | 53 | 45 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 16.4 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 2 |
| Career | 306 | 141 | 123 | 4019 | 2877 | 6896 | 993 | 1132 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 13.1 | 9.4 | 22.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 148 | ||
Notes
Honours and Achievements
| Brownlow Medal votes | |
| Season | Votes |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| Total | 148 |
| Key: | |
| Green / Bold = Won | |
Team
Individual
- AFL
- 3× AFL premiership captain: 2017, 2019, 2020
- Brownlow Medal: 2012
- AFLCA Champion Player of the Year: 2012
- All-Australian team: 2012
- All-Australian Squad: 2018
- AFLPA best captain: 2018
- 22under22 team: 2012
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2008
- The Age Player of the Year: 2012
- Yiooken Award: 2011
- Ian Stewart Medal: 2014
- Richmond
- 3× Jack Dyer Medal (1st RFC B&F): 2011, 2012, 2014
- Maurie Fleming Medal (3rd RFC B&F): 2016
- Fred Swift Medal (4th RFC B&F): 2017
- Kevin Bartlett Medal (5th RFC B&F): 2013
- Richmond captain: 2013–2021
- Most single season tackles record holder: 2017
- Most career tackles record holder
- Most games as Richmond captain record holder
- Junior
- U/16 Vic Metro captain: 2006
Personal Life
In December 2013, Trent married his high school sweetheart, Brooke Kennedy, in Flinders, Victoria. Brooke is the daughter of former Western Bulldogs player Rick Kennedy. Trent and Brooke have two daughters and a son.
The Draft: Inside the AFL's Search for Talent
Trent Cotchin was one of five teenage footballers whose journey from junior football to their first five seasons in the AFL was featured in the book The Draft: Inside the AFL's Search for Talent by Emma Quayle.
