Richmond star Trent Cotchin’s new outlook on his captiancy has been key to him growing into the role, according to Carlton premiership coach Robert Walls.
Cotchin was hugely influential in the Tigers stirring Qualifying Final win over Geelong, as he physically asserted himself on the contest with a number of bone crunching tackles and ferocious attacks on the footy.
Speaking on Hungry for Sport, Walls believes the 2012 Brownlow Medallist has handled the heavy onus of leading by example while also meeting the high expectations from an individual perspective much better then previous seasons.
“I think he needed to play a good final because his last couple were just ok by his standards,” he said.
“Even with his columns this year it seems to me as if it’s a fresh approach. The burden of captaincy or being part of a team that had struggled just seemed to get the better of him for a while.
“I take my hat off to him, I think he has had a terrific year. He has lead from the front.”
Following the Tigers drought breaking finals victory, footage emerged of the 27-year-old cleaning the rooms in an act that epitomised his exemplary leadership style.
Walls recalled a story of similar nature when he was coaching the Brisbane Bears during his four year stint, only this time a certain young player had to be pulled into line in regards to change room educate.
“When I was coaching the Brisbane Bears many, many years ago we got a number one draft pick who came to the club. I won’t mention his name because I don’t want to embarrass him, he had a bit to learn; he was only 17,” he said.
“After one training session he took the tape off his ankles and threw it to the rubbish bin, missed the bin and this big pile of tap laid on the floor.
“Andrew Bews, a senior player at the time, picked him up by the scruff of the neck and took him ten metres across and said pick it up and put it in the bin and show some respect for the place.”