Between them, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Jack Ziebell have amassed 930 AFL video games – that means there will likely be loads of emotion on the MCG once they run out for the final time.
Richmond coach Andrew McQualter desires his gamers to revel within the event as they tackle North Melbourne on Saturday.
The Tigers will have a good time Cotchin (305 video games) and Riewoldt (346), whereas the Kangaroos farewell Ziebell (279).
While the 2 golf equipment have a sport to win, McQualter stated it can be crucial for the gamers to understand the significance of the event.
“It’s something we need to think about a little bit. It’s just embracing the emotion of it, the beauty of it as well,” McQualter stated.
“Ziebell has been North’s captain, been a long-serving player for that club as well, so they’ll be going through the same thing in their rooms.
“We will embrace it and nonetheless have a extremely clear plan about how we’ll attempt to beat North Melbourne.”
McQualter confirmed former coach Damien Hardwick will be at the game after returning from an overseas holiday.
“He’ll come to the sport … (he was) so influential for Trent and Jack,” McQualter said.
Tigers fans gave Friday’s training run at Punt Rd almost a pre-finals feel as they turned up to pay homage to their two retiring stars, who played vital roles under Hardwick in Richmond’s premiership three-peat.
McQualter, who took over from Hardwick earlier this season, had a dig at himself as he reflected on the buildup to Saturday’s game.
“It is an enormous day – I’ve been doing this job for 11 weeks and I’ve sacked two of the legends of the membership. Not a nasty effort, is it,” he joked.
“We’ve spoken about it to the gamers … we get another probability to honour them, and play with them and for them.”
Richmond’s in-house video team put together a tribute which has been played to the squad.
“You overlook how lengthy they have been doing this, collectively,” McQualter said of Cotchin and Riewoldt.
“It is such an extended time frame they usually’ve been by the ups and downs of footy, the true highs and lows.
“To do it together and then to finish together is so powerful. It was a pretty emotional sort of meeting this morning.
“But we won’t wait to play tomorrow.”
Cotchin is coming back from a calf injury and McQualter confirmed the former captain would be right to play.
“He stated he hasn’t skilled quite a bit the previous couple of weeks, however he is fairly robust, Trent,” McQualter stated.
“We’ll simply wheel him on the market and I’m positive, the aggressive beast, he’ll get to work as soon as the siren (sounds).”
The Tigers are 13th and two games plus percentage out of eighth spot, with only next week’s away match against Port Adelaide to come after Saturday’s clash.
But McQualter insisted his side still have plenty to play for.
“The method we end this season is the best way we’ll bounce into the pre-season. It all ties in,” he stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
