- Dec 8, 2020
- 3,105
- 10,024
- AFL Club
- Carlton
Great story!One of my work colleagues is a Richmond member part of the cheer squad (his father works at the club) told me a story on what he believed was the turning point of the club, a lot of moving parts but this was the catalyst.
It happened in a game I can't for the life of me remember who he told me they were playing, Richmond were getting beaten at half time and when they went into the change rooms. Hardwick ripped into Cotchin telling him he had to stand up and start acting like the captain, every one follows the captain so start leading by example.
I couldn't believe my ears when he went on to say that most of the cheer squad were laughing when Cotchin ran back on the ground got into a wrestle and got his ass kicked, this went on week after week while the Tiger army laughed for a while then started feeling embarrassed for him, he wasn't just getting beaten by a little bit but actually being hammered.
Cotchin came back after the off season break a changed person, all of a sudden he was winning his scuffles or at least holding his ground in every one of them. All the players knew and believed if they got in any trouble Cotchin had their back. The whole mind set of the playing group changed and followed his example, followed him into battle, followed him into a dynasty.
My Richmond Cheer Squad story... 2013 Elimination Final. Tigger mate got me a ticket, and found we were sitting right amongst the Cheer Squad. A tad intimidating. Tight first half, and I was a bit quiet with all the rabid tiggers around me. Enter Juddy. Ta ta Tiggers. Cheer Squad silent, jaws agape. Felt like I'd killed my mate's puppy. And all this from a team that finished 9th...