Cotchin – who played his junior football at Reservoir and West Preston – will replace Chris Newman as the Tigers’ leader.
The 22-year-old becomes the second former NFL junior currently serving as an AFL captain, with former Hurstbridge junior Jack Grimes a co-captain of Melbourne.
Already a dual Jack Dyer Medallist, Cotchin revealed to SEN that a player and staff vote determined the captaincy, with Cotchin getting the nod ahead of Brett Deledio.
“There were two candidates who were in strong positions to take over the job from Newy (Chris Newman) and luckily I was the one who was in a position to take over and the guys voted me in,” Cotchin said.
Despite his relatively young age Cotchin had been long been touted as the next Richmond captain and he said he was confident of being a good leader now that he has assumed the position.
“I think I’ll cope with the on-field responsibilities and training standards and so forth,” he said.
“I try to get away from footy where I can so obviously being the captain leading the club you become almost the face of the club so you have to represent it well.
“It’s probably going to be the extra appearances and so forth that will take up the time that I would normally have to myself.”
Selected from the Northern Knights with pick No.2 in the 2007 draft, Cotchin had a frustrating start to his career, with injuries limiting him to just 42 matches in his fist three years at Tigerland.
He has since emerged as one of the elite midfielders in the AFL over the past two seasons.
In 2011 he played every home and away game and averaged 24 disposals to take out his first Richmond best and fairest award.
His game elevated to an even higher level in 2012 in his fifth season in the AFL. Cotchin again played every game, picking up an average of 27 disposals and a goal a game.
His efforts earned him his first All-Australian selection on a wing and a second consecutive club best and fairest award. He went into the Brownlow medal count as favourite and polled 26 votes to finish equal second, just four votes behind winner and Essendon skipper, Jobe Watson.
Cotchin said it was an honour to lead Richmond into an exciting era as it closes in on a return to finals action.
“What matters now is where we go as a team and a football club going forward and hopefully we can create our own history,” he said.
“It’s been a tough few years but now we’re on the right track and the guys are continuing to develop and it’s an exciting time for not only us as a playing group but our supporters as well.”
Cotchin will continue to wear the No. 9 jumper he has worn throughout his junior and AFL career, despite Richmond’s past three captains all switching to No. 17 in honour of club great, Jack Dyer.
“It was obviously a tough (decision) and I respect the proud history that the club has and the amazing things Jack Dyer has done not only as a person but also the legacy he has left for us who are following on in his footsteps.
“I was No.9 prior to being at the Richmond footy club. I love seeing little kids with the No.9 on their backs.
“It’s a part of me now, and that’s where I want to stay, and play the rest of my footy.”
Cotchin said he has already spoken to new teammate Nick Vlastuin who the Tigers drafted with pick No.9 in Thursday night’s draft. Vlastuin played his junior football with Eltham and was one of four Northern Football League players selected by an AFL club this year.
“He (Vlastuin) said he couldn’t get the grin of his face. I believe he wore his Richmond jumper out to dinner with a couple of our coaching staff and admin.
“Obviously he’s a very excited young guy who’s now got his opportunity to play at the top level and I’m sure he understands the hard work starts now and he’s probably excited about getting his first AFL pre-season under his belt and then putting his best foot forward come January and February.”
Cotchin becomes the 40th captain of Richmond.
