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Tigers to roar into a powerhouse

By Mr Dandalooa

Richmond number 2 pick Trent Cotchin is set to miss the next four matches after losing his tribunal fight over a charging incident.

The well balanced and creative player was reprimanded for the incident, which left North Melbourne’s Sam Wright with a concussion.

FooryGoss understands that Cotchin could have accepted a three-match ban with an early guilty plea, but in defiance, the former U18 representative and AIS/AFL Academy graduate instead tried to have the suspension reduced to two matches by arguing he had only made contact to Wright’s body, not his head.

The incident occurred during the Kangaroos’ 50-point victory at the MCG last Sunday.

It is understood that video evidence of the incident was inconclusive, however it did show Cotchin’s right shoulder smashed into Wright’s back after arriving late in a marking contest.

Cotchin, who is renowned for his rare kicking skills on both feet, while having great ball winning skills, will not return until the round 21 match with St Kilda.

The bad news came as Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt spruiked his club, boasting the Tigers are a talented squad determined to stay together to become an AFL “powerhouse”.

As reported on the ABC, the Coleman Medal leader who has 61 goals this year including 46 in the past nine matches, was passionate and committed to his current club.

The club, which took a chance on Ben Cousins, is not without controversy.

But 21-year-old Riewoldt said he was a happy Tiger and will be for life.

“It’s something that questions are going to be asked, obviously I’m coming out of contract next year when Greater Western Sydney do come in,” he was reported as saying.

“But it’s something that we’re trying to do with all our players down here is develop this culture that we’re one team.

“I’ve got some great mates down here ... it’s something that we’re building together.

“When you look at sides like Geelong, St Kilda, they’ve come through as a group together and they haven’t lost any names from their drafts.

“It’s something that we’re building on.”

Riewoldt credits skipper Chris Newman with gelling the team together, claiming the Tigers have a driving force that will see them in two to three years’ time as a powerhouse in the AFL.

He said Sunday’s 50-point loss to North Melbourne will be used as a learning opportunity.

“Results don’t really bother us too much this year,” he said, adding the loss was disappointing.