Jack Riewoldt will complete his illustrious AFL career in the same game as Trent Cotchin, a fellow triple Richmond championship icon, marking the end of a storied era for the Tigers. Riewoldt informed his Richmond teammates of his impending retirement on Tuesday, five days after Cotchin made the same announcement.
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Now, Riewoldt, a prominent forward in the league who now ranks 13th all-time in the AFL in goals scored with 786, has also announced the end of his illustrious career.
With the exception of 400-game great Kevin Bartlett, Riewoldt has played more games than any other Richmond player. He will turn 35 in October.
Legacy of Excellence in AFL
He has won the Coleman Medal three times (2010, 2012, and 2018), the Best and Fairest award twice, and the All-Australian award three times (2010, 2015, 2018). He is the leading goalkicker in the Australian Football League. He has also played in three Premierships.
In 2017, the year the Tigers won their first championship in 37 years, Riewoldt made history by performing Mr. Brightside with American indie rock band The Killers on stage while still donning the grand final jersey.
New Chapter for Richmond Tigers
The most recent announcement denotes a sensitive time in the club’s history and a change in leadership.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper were sought after stars by Richmond at the end of the previous season in an effort to strengthen their midfield and return to the top of the AFL, but it was not to be.
They are thirteenth on the ladder and aren’t going to the championship game this year.
Tiger Heroes Bid Farewell in Emotional Match Against North Melbourne
The two Tiger heroes’ emotional farewell game against struggling North Melbourne on Saturday at the MCG (they won’t be traveling to South Australia the following week for Richmond’s match against Port Adelaide) will be played in front of a packed house.
Thousands of Tigers supporters are understandably saddened by the news, but Cotchin has demonstrated just how much it means to him and his young family.
Cotchin’s Heartfelt Conversation:
“We need to talk about how you behaved today. It’s not amusing, claims Cotchin.
“You’re all coming to the football club tomorrow morning,” I said.
Cotchin follows up by inquiring, “Do you know why?
Then, as the passion intensifies, Cotchin wants to speak but holds himself back. Then, without thinking, he declares, “Dad’s going to announce his retirement tomorrow morning.”
Cotchin explains it to the girls because they are unsure of what it means specifically.
He explains, “It means Daddy isn’t playing football for the Tigers anymore.”
Touching Farewell
The 2012 Brownlow Medalist revealed his decision to retire from AFL in a family video that he posted online. Harper, Mackenzie, and Parker are his three young daughters.
Cotchin instructs the laughing females to pay close attention as he gathers his daughters around the table.
Trent Cotchin’s Emotional Retirement Announcement
The females enquire, “Why?”
Because it’s time for me to finish, Cotchin said.
“Why?”
He responds, “I’ll play one more game.”
Then Cotchin’s spouse Brooke interjects: “Perhaps. Don’t make commitments,” Cotchin said, but he insisted he would.
The girls start to realize their situation at that time, and they start sobbing uncontrollably.
One of the girls cries out, “Oh Dad, I want you to play lots of games.”
Brooke is attempting to soothe the girls and Trent when they all begin crying.
One of the girls sobs, “That means I won’t get to see the boys anymore.”
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