Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis has expressed compassion for Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin, amidst a barrage of criticism directed at his current form.
Cotchin's Tigers have lost four straight games -- during which he has averaged a mere 16.5 disposals -- and sit in 12th position on the ladder after a fourth-quarter meltdown against Collingwood last Sunday.
"I think at the moment, when you get to the back end of your career, and you play the type of footy that Trent individually plays, you're so reliant on the team performing really well", Lewis told SEN Breakfast.
"Because if you're carrying an injury into the game and a lot of the parts of the team's strengths are falling apart, you get exposed.
Lewis identified Richmond's lengthy injury list and poor overall form as reasons why it isn't in a position to rest the 31-year-old.
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"The unfortunate thing I suppose for he and the Richmond Football Club at the moment is because they've got so many injuries," the former Hawk and Demon said.
"They don't have the flexibility or the luxury to rest him, or they don't have the wins on the board like they would in previous seasons to be able to rest players like that.
"I feel a little bit sorry for him in terms of the media scrutiny around his performance and Richmond's performance at the moment.
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"He's had a bad six to seven weeks, that's OK, he's been a champion player for a long period of time, and I just think we're too quick to jump on players that are down on form and maybe carrying a few injuries and the side's down on form โ everyone seems to pile on.
"I tend to feel sorry for him".
The three-time premiership captain is contracted at Tigerland through 2022.
As a result of the developing COVID chaos in Victoria, Richmond's must-win clash against Brisbane on Friday night has reportedly been moved to Metricon Stadium.
The Tigers could welcome back key pair Kane Lambert (hip/calf) and Toby Nankervis (knee) for the showdown.
