News recently reached us that Richmond Tigers Captain Trent Cotchin has committed to staying with the club until the end of 2022.
Four years in football is like 20 years in other pursuits. We recently renewed our marriage vows through the end of 2048, which seems a long way off, but we think it an equal chance to Cotchin wanting or being able to play for Richmond for another four years.
The deal for Cotchin was to add two more years on top of the two he had remaining and his is the latest name to be added to the list of players who want to play football on a winning club that includes Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance.
If by some stretch of the imagination, Cotchin survives to see the end of 2022, it will find him 32 years of age with 15 years of service to Richmond.
“Trent is everything we could ask for as the captain of our football club. His leadership and care for his teammates, as well as the courageous way he plays the game is just exceptional,” Richmond general manager of football Neil Balme said in a statement.“He leads by example with his talent and toughness on-field, and his maturity and authenticity off-field. We’re lucky to have him leading our playing group.”
We wonder what off-field authenticity actually is and also how much it increased Cotchin’s value.
Some may remember that Cotchin committed to five years at Punt Road back in late 2014.
Cotchin was already one of the top earners in the AFL and other than the slight possibility that he would be willing to take a pay cut to avoid seeking out another club, he will finish well up the list of Richmond players in terms of games played.
He has recorded over 500 disposals every season since 2011 and looks to be right around that figure for the 2018 season.
