Trent Cotchin will step down from his role as captain for the 2022 season.

The Tigers veteran is the longest-serving captain of the Richmond Football Club, playing 188 of his 268 senior games as skipper.

Cotchin was appointed the role after the 2012 season, before leading the side to three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

The midfielder decision to step down from the captaincy duties has left some big shoes to be filled. So, who could captain the Tigers in 2022?

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We've named five options the Tigers are likely to consider.

4. Nick Vlastuin

Age: 27

Career Games: 173

Nick Vlastuin has also built a solid career since his debut in 2013, when he was nominated for the Rising Star Award. Since then, he has never looked out of place in Richmond's defensive set-up.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Nick Vlastuin of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the AFL Second Qualifying Final Match between the Geelong Cats and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 8, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Much like Grimes, Vlastuin can adapt to the game situation as the play unfolds in front of him. He is an accomplished one-on-one defender, and is capable of playing as a spare in the backline, leading Richmond for intercept marks this season. Not only is he a hardened defender, but his disposal efficiency exiting the backline is at 84.4%.

He remains under contract at the Tigers until 2026, after signing a massive deal earlier this season. He has already been in contention to captain the side as a caretaker in 2019 and is shaping as a viable long-term option as his importance to the side grows in the absence of Bachar Houli and David Astbury.