Dustin Martin pays tribute to Trent Cotchin after 300th AFL game for Richmond

Dustin Martin stepped into the spotlight in a rare TV appearance to pay tribute to his teammate Trent Cotchin.

The Richmond captain turned back the clock in his 300th game to inspire the finals-hunting Tigers to a crucial 20-point win over St Kilda.

Cotchin has led the club to three flags during his time at Punt Road and Martin – who registered a sublime 34 disposals on Saturday night – spoke to Channel 7 after the game about the club leader.

‘It’s amazing. Such a good win and I’m glad we could do it for our inspirational warrior,’ he said.

‘Don’t have the words for how much he means to me and to the boys.

Dustin Martin made a rare TV appearance after Richmond’s win on Saturday night

‘Awesome night of footy and I’m so glad we could do it for Cotch.’

In the first half alone at the MCG, Cotchin had 19 disposals, eight contested possessions, three clearances, three inside 50s and booted two clutch goals that brought the house down and revived the Tigers after a slow start.

With former coach Damien Hardwick among those in the stands watching on, Cotchin finished with 29 disposals to help Richmond prevail 13.12 (90) to 11.4 (70) in teeming rain and leave them just two points outside the top eight.

Tim Taranto (38 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances and a goal) and Dustin Martin (34 touches, seven clearances) starred in the midfield while Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short were excellent.

St Kilda’s Brad Crouch (33 touches) and Brad Hill (31) fought hard while former Tiger Dan Butler (three goals) provided a spark as the Saints spurned a chance to draw level with the top four on points.

Richmond’s Noah Balta arguably won an entertaining duel with Max King.

Cotchin led the Tigers up the race but stopped at the top to high-five every teammate.

Last up was fellow stalwart Jack Riewoldt, who threw an arm around Cotchin as they ran out together to a rousing reception from the pro-Richmond crowd.

The Tigers superstar paid tribute to Trent Cotchin on his 300th appearance for the Tigers

The Richmond captain rolled back the years with a sumptuous performance at the MCG

But initially, the Saints appeared poised to spoil the party.

St Kilda booted the first four goals of the game before Shae Bolton stopped the rot and Short launched a long bomb to get Richmond back within reach.

Just before quarter time, with Richmond trailing by 15, Cotchin marked just inside 50 and lined up for goal.

The former captain used the maximum possible run-up, drove through the goal and sent the MCG into raptures.

Every Tiger on the field ran to Cotchin – and it started a run of four consecutive majors.

Cotchin booted the first goal of the second term and the Tigers nudged out to an 18-point lead at halftime.

Young Richmond tall Samson Ryan was substituted out at halftime with an ankle concern.

In the third quarter, Vlastuin intercepted at will then snapped his first goal since 2020 to send the Tigers out to a game-high 25-point lead.

But Saints smalls Butler, Jack Higgins and Ryan Byrne struck to cut the deficit to seven points at the final change.

The final quarter proved a genuine arm wrestle.

But with barely two minutes left, Taranto burst through stoppage and booted a wonderful goal with the outside of his right boot, then Bolton added another to ice the game.