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‘Smelling the roses’: Tigers champ enjoying every moment ahead of game 300
By Marc McGowan
There was no mention of the “r” word – just a lot of skirting around it – as Trent Cotchin spoke about becoming just the sixth Tiger to play 300 matches this Saturday night against St Kilda.
Cotchin talked of “smelling the roses” this year, but was careful to leave enough doubt about his intentions, other than as good as slamming the door on a post-playing coaching career, beyond the Aberfeldie under-10s.
Trent Cotchin and ex-Richmond coach Damien Hardwick were at the forefront of the Tigers’ golden era.Credit: AFL Photos
This was a celebration of a player who is a Richmond champion through and through, with four of the five Tigers to achieve the 300-game milestone – Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards – in attendance.
Cotchin’s legacy is already cemented as a triple-premiership captain, Brownlow medallist, three-time club champion and All-Australian.
No late changes
No late changes for either side. Hugo Ralphsmith (Tigers) and Cooper Sharman (Saints) are the subs.
Why the Tigers wrapped their arms around troubled star Marlion Pickett
By Michael Gleeson and Rebecca Peppiatt
The AFL knew before Marlion Pickett did that the police wanted to speak to the Richmond player about aggravated burglaries in Perth last summer.
The league was contacted on Wednesday last week by Perth’s Midland Police saying they wanted to speak to a Richmond player, Marlion Pickett.
Marlion Pickett is embraced by Tiger teammates after their premiership victory in 2019.Credit: Getty Images
Former homicide squad detective and Carlton reserves player Tony Keane, of the AFL’s integrity department, took the call and referred police to the Tigers.
The club spoke with Pickett, 31, and the player’s Perth-based manager, Anthony Van Der Wielen, to alert them to the approach.
The police were aware Richmond were playing in Perth and were keen to talk to Pickett while he was there. The police didn’t mind if he came in on Friday or played the game on Saturday night and came in on Sunday.
No problem. They agreed he’d play against the Fremantle Dockers, and meet with police on Sunday.
Good evening
G’day everyone. It’s Roy Ward here and I’ll be in the driver’s seat for tonight’s AFL live blog as Richmond takes on St Kilda at the MCG.
It’s a big night for the Tigers with premiership captain Trent Cotchin playing his 300th AFL game.
Please feel free to leave a comment on the blog at any time and enjoy the game to come.
First bounce is set for 7.25pm AEST.
