Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin has been chastised byย Fox Footyย pundit Jonathan Brown following his side's shock loss to St Kilda on Friday night.
The former Lions spearhead didn't mince his words post-game when he stated that the triple-premiership captain had lost control of his emotions in the Tigers 40-point defeat at the hands of the Saints.
According toย Fox Footyย scribe Max Laughton, Cotchin is currently averaging his lowest disposal mean since his 2009 campaign.
The 2012 Brownlow medalist is currently sitting on a mean of 19.1 touches per game in 2021 - which is below his career average of just over 22.
Despite meeting this latter mean last night, Cotchin, at times, appeared more content to play that man rather than the ball - as evidenced by his running battles with in-form Saint Luke Dunstan.
For this reason, Brown saw fit to single the 31-year-old out on a night where the Tigers recorded their lowest total at the MCG since the 1927 Grand Final.
โItโs his lowest-rated year since 2009, but Iโm more worried about his impact on the game,โ Brown said post-game on Fox Footy.
โItโs almost like heโs trying too hard. He should wear the frustration and think, Iโm the captain, Iโve got to get us back into the game, but itโs got to be that controlled aggression.
โYou canโt tip over, youโve got to control your ego ... especially when your teamโs back is to the wall.
โHeโs got to be able to lead the players out of this hole theyโre in at the moment.โ
SEE ALSO: Twin blow for Richmond defenders, Saintly stopper hamstrung
Cotchin's fiery antics are not set to garner the attention of the MRO, however, they did draw the ire of a plethora of punters on social media.
Trent Cotchin strikes me as the sort of bloke who would buy a 3 litre bottle of tequila from Aldi.
Because he loves cheap shots. #AFLTigersSaints
— Albert Thurgood (@AlbertThurgood) June 25, 2021
Trent Cotchin is that kid in primary school who was nice when the teacher was looking and then gave you a Chinese burn when they weren't.
— G (@naut) June 25, 2021
Reckon if youโre Trent Cotchin and happy to crash into blokes who canโt see it coming, then you canโt drop your head under the high ball. #AFLTigersSaints
— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) June 25, 2021
Ahh just another installment into the tale of Trent Cotchin, a good little punch to Dunstan as he lay injured on the turf. ๐
— Fiona (@FionaRoseT) June 25, 2021
Although the Tigers still cling to their place in the eight with a 7-7 record, their September chances could be on the line as they face Brisbane and Geelong within the next month.
