Former Richmond champion and captain Trent Cotchin has recently signed with the Brisbane Lions in an off-field leadership role.
Joining on the eve of the 2024 season, Cotchin will assist in the Lions' hunt for their first premiership in over two decades, attempting to remedy last year's heartbreaking loss in the decider to Collingwood.
Seen as an area of improvement, the club will use the 33-year-old's expertise, working with Brisbane's leadership group.
Helping oversee the nine-player leadership group, Cotchin will work alongside co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale, as well as Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley through the season from afar.
Not to mention Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, Brandon Starcevich, Jarrod Berry and Oscar McInerney, who round out the 2024 leadership group.
โI've always admired the consistency of the Lions and given a great relationship with Danny Daly, I was happy to explore what a relationship with the Lions could look like,โ Cotchin said.
โThe work that I see myself doing with the leaders is really aligned to my own purpose in helping others realise and fulfil their potential and that lights me up.โ
Cotchin was captain of the Tigers for nine seasons, leading the club to a drought-breaking premiership in 2017 before adding two more pieces of silverware in 2019 and 2020.
The 2012 Brownlow Medallist featured in 306 games for the Victorian powerhouse, of which 220 were leading out his teammates.
Brisbane CEO Greg Swann said signing the decorated Tiger was a no-brainer.
"His role is to get us from nearly there to there," Swann said.
"It was (football manager) Danny Daly's idea. He knows him well from the Richmond days. 'Fages' is on board with it, and we all were.
"We think it's a great appointment.
"Everyone's looking for a little advantage, and hopefully with his input, he's a three-time premiership-winning captain, so he knows what it takes to win, so we're hopeful that he can pass on some good advice to our leaders."
Cotchin was seen at the Gabba on Tuesday morning as the Lions took to the Gabba for the first time in preparation for Friday night's Opening Round clash against Carlton.
