Tigers' AFL best stacks up: Cotchin
Trent Cotchin doesn't know whether he will be lining up with Richmond in the AFL grand final but he knows one thing: the Tigers will be ready for Adelaide.
"The evidence is, our footy stacks up," the Richmond skipper said after leading his side to the club's first grand final in 35 years.
The Tigers emerged from a first-half arm wrestle against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, running away with a 36-point preliminary final win and with it, a place in the grand final.
The roar from the 94,258-strong crowd was loudest in the third term, when the Tigers attacked in waves.
Daniel Rioli and Dustin Martin put the finishing touches on Richmond's attacks, while Cotchin led the way with hard graft in midfield.
"Sometimes it isn't pretty but we know it works for us," Cotchin said.
"The beauty of AFL is it's a game of momentum.
"You've got to withstand it and then sway it back your way.
"Adelaide will be doing everything they can to stop our strengths.
"We'll be doing the same and we're looking forward to a contest."
Cotchin will know on Monday whether he has been cited by the match review panel for his head-high collision on Dylan Shiel.
The 27-year-old had eyes for the footy when he barrelled into Shiel, collecting the Giant's head with his shoulder.
Shiel left the match with concussion at quarter-time.
After the match, Cotchin was matter-of-fact about the incident.
"It's out of my control. I was going for the footy. It will be what it will be," he said.
Cotchin was Richmond's best when they last played the Crows in a 76-point loss at Adelaide Oval in round six.
The MCG looms as a great equaliser for the two sides, given Richmond's rampaging home form and vocal support.
But either way, Saturday's result will be a drought-breaker.
The Tigers and Crows will end the competition's two longest streaks without a grand final appearance.
Cotchin said that was "nice for the story writers" but he wouldn't be winding back the clock for inspiration.
"As much as you respect the history of the footy club and what's been a long period of time, for us it's about the now and that's all you can control," he said.
"They've been the best team all season so we're coming up against the best.
"If we want to be No.1 we've got to beat them."
