New AFL deal for Tigers skipper Cotchin

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has signed a five-year contract extension, tying him to the Tigers until the end of 2020 and effectively ensuring he will complete his AFL career as a one-club player.

Cotchin’s previous deal was to have ended next year, at which point he would have been eligible for restricted free agency.

But following successive finals campaigns for the first time since the mid 1970s, the three-time best and fairest winner has set his sights on sustained success for the Tigers.

Richmond’s’s general manager of football Dan Richardson said the club was thrilled that the 24-year-old Cotchin had been willing to sign such a long-term deal.

“Clearly his decision indicates that he is fully behind the direction the club is heading, and he has a desire to lead the playing group as it continues to mature and improve,” said Richardson.

“While we were extremely confident he would re-commit to the club at the end of his current contract, it’s a great result that the extension has been finalised so swiftly.

“Trent has grown into an outstanding leader of the club, while maintaining an extremely high level of on-field performance.”

Cotchin has played 131 games in seven seasons and has polled at least 15 Brownlow Medal votes in each of the past four years.

He replaced Chris Newman as Richmond captain two years ago.

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