Richmond captain Trent Cotchin says he has been managed through the pre-season to ensure he is in optimal condition for the start of the 2019 season.
Cotchin missed just two games last year after playing every match in the Tigers' premiership winning campaign in 2017.
The 28-year-old decided against participating in the AFLX competition in order to ensure he is raring to go for the club's traditional season-opener against Carlton on March 21st.
“I’m not (available for AFLX), I’ve had a little bit of a managed pre-season, so I opted to continue with my consistent of training at the footy club,” Cotchin told SEN Breakfast.
“I know there are quite a few Tigers that have put their hand up, obviously Jack (Riewoldt) being one of the captains, and there’s a bit of excitement about it.
“We’ll have to see how the team selection goes over the next couple of weeks.”
The 2012 Brownlow Medallist averaged 22 disposals and 4.7 tackles from his 22 games in 2018.
Listen to Trent Cotchin’s chat on SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson in the player below