Cotchin to put league on the map, says chief
AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees remembers the time he was told Gary Ablett Jr was going to be playing footy for one of the local clubs.
Now just over 12 months on from that beautiful May 6 in 2023, he is even more excited to have Richmond’s former premiership captain Trent Cotchin playing a game.
Cotchin signed with Port Douglas Crocs, playing a one off match on July 13 when they line up against premiership contenders South Cairns Cutters.
Lees said it will do the competition wonders to have another Brownlow medallist running around.
“Last year was terrific and to have another Brownlow medallist running around here is awesome for the competition and it certainly puts us on the map,” Lees said.
“Port Douglas kept the league well informed in terms of marquee one-off players which the rules speak to. Barry Lea has been terrific to work with.
“Trent (Cotchin) helped transform the Richmond Football Club, gave them the opportunity to taste premiership success for multiple years.
“To have that quality of person who’s still currently in the media today, he can advocate his experience in the AFL Cairns competition which is terrific.”
Ablett signed with Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs in a one off match in 2023.
In the opening minute of the match up against the North Cairns Tigers, Ablett put his
skills on show why he is known as ‘the little master’ snapping a goal on the left from an impossible angle, leaving the five thousand plus crowd just in awe of his incredible skill.
“It certainly hasn’t been our push (to replicate the Gary Ablett Jr match), but I know that a couple of the clubs that experienced the Ablett Jr. Day last year just felt it was terrific for the community,” Lees said.
“A lot of neutral supporters at the game looked at opportunities to go down a similar path.
“You’ve got to be a bit lucky and we’re in an industry where connections are really important.
“So the fact that Port Douglas had a connection back to Cotchin is where they were lucky.
“The fact that they’ve probably got one of the most remarkable destinations in Australia for a Victorian to come up in the July school holidays suited what Trent and Brooke felt would be a good way to play footy in paradise.”
Cotchin and his family will spend a few days up in Port Douglas, giving back to the community and checking out the beautiful spectacle that is Port Douglas.
“(Crocs) have done a really good job to get him to play but also to get him involved with a heap of community activities during his time in the region,” Lees said.
“We’ll see him engage in community clinics and run some sportsman function and get an opportunity to delve in the mind of Trent Cotchin who is arguably one of the key people to turn around the Richmond football club and taste that premiership success.”