TIGER CUB SEIZES THE MOMENT

Trent Cotchin’s debut wasn’t an instant classic by any means, but there was more than enough to like.

It occurred in round eight of the 2008 season in a 30-point loss to Geelong, a club that would end up having major significance in the career of the man in question.

On a wet day at the MCG, Cotchin collected 16 disposals and kicked two goals, one of which would remain in the mind of Richmond fans until this very day.

He joined the ‘first-kick, first-goal’ club when he roved a pack featuring Matthew Richardson, crumbed the ball expertly and cleverly dribbled it home.

It was a moment that Richardson still savours.

“I remember playing in his first game against Geelong at the MCG in 2008, I was involved in a marking contest, it came to ground level and ‘Cotch’ kicked his first goal,” Richardson said.

“It was a pretty cool moment to be involved in his first goal at AFL level.

“I’m not good at remembering stuff about my own career, but I really do remember that first goal. It was a wet day, it got to ground level and the way he slotted it through just showed his composure.”

The moment was not lost on Alex Rance either, even though he was not out there at the time.

“His first touch was a clean pick-up and goal,” Rance said.

“You just thought that this guy is the real deal. He already had that level of skill and finesse above everyone else. Even in the wet and the rain he stood out.”

Cotchin failed to beat the Cats in his next eight attempts.

However, he helped mastermind finals wins over the blue and white hoops in each of Richmond’s three premiership seasons (2017, 2019 and 2020), including the 2020 Grand Final 12 years after his debut.

@Foonge