Cotchin to help Lions’ flag tilt

‘He knows what it takes’

Richmond legend Trent Cotchin has been hired by the Brisbane Lions to share his expertise, as last season’s losing grand finalists search for the final piece of their premiership jigsaw.

A three-time flag-winning captain of the Tigers, the nowretired Cotchin will work with the Lions leadership group, which consists of co-captains Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews, vice-captains Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley, and Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, Brandon Starcevich, Jarrod Berry and Oscar McInerney.

Cotchin, 33, was at Brisbane’s training session at the Gabba on Tuesday ahead of the Lions’ Opening Round battle with Carlton at the same venue on Friday night.

“He’ll be up here at least once or twice a month, and semi-regularly he’ll come and watch training, but he’ll primarily work with our leaders,” Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann said.

“When we go to Melbourne to play, he’ll help out and he’ll come to those games as well.”

Lions football manager Danny Daly was responsible for the appointment of Cotchin, who had been linked with a move to the Gold Coast Suns to join the coaching staff of ex-Richmond mentor Damien Hardwick.

“‘Fages’ (Lions coach Chris Fagan) is on board with it. We think it’s a great appointment,” Swann said.

“Everyone’s looking for a little advantage and, hopefully, with Trent’s input, he can pass on some good advice to our leaders.

“He’s a three-time premiership-winning captain, so he knows what it takes to win. His role is to get us from nearly there to there.”

Swann said the Lions were confident they could go one better this year after losing last season’s grand final by just four points to Collingwood.

“We’re not hiding away from the fact that we were in front with five minutes to go (in the grand final),” he said.

“We think our list has improved, and we think the hunger is there.

“The players have come back really strongly in the preseason, really fit, but no one gives you a spot in the grand final. We’re all starting equal.

“Carlton, I’m sure, will be ready to go on Friday night, and that’s the first test we’ve got, but there’s going to be a whole range of tests on the way.

“We think we’re in good shape. We’ve had a taste (of playing in grand final), and I think these guys want to have another taste, but this time to be holding the (premiership) cup up at the end.

“But there’s a long way to go.”