His evolution as a leader came before that success.

We always knew he was a classy footballer,  since being drafted behind Matthew Kreuzer back in 2007, yet his leadership has often been questioned.

At one stage, there were even calls for Jack Riewoldt to replace him as captain.

But amid the scrutiny and criticism, Cotchin has found a way to elevate his game to new heights.

Already a Brownlow medallist and three-time best and fairest winner before last season, 2017 was easily his best year – even if he missed out on any of those individual honours.

From the outside looking in, you get the sense those accolades don’t mean as much to him as they once did. They don’t drive him.

As he’s matured, Cotchin seemingly does everything for his teammates and the Richmond Football Club.

He’s developed a selflessness that’s made those around him better, Dustin Martin included. Above all else, that is the mark of a great leader.

While no one could ever accuse him of being soft, he’s also managed to develop a hard edge that’s become infectious at Punt Road.

With a deceptive burst of speed, he’s been a bull around the contests.

Clearly, he’s wanted to be more aggressive and prove he won’t be pushed around and, at times, has walked a fine line.

While he nearly missed the grand final after his bump on Dylan Shiel, it’s that same ''edge'' that’s allowed him to dominate the big moments.

Before last year’s final series he admitted he’d let his team down during September in the past.

But in the qualifying final against Geelong those demons were put to bed with 20 disposals, a number of bone-crunching tackles and an inspirational goal in the final quarter.

From there, he only got better on the road to the premiership.

Over that period, Cotchin proved his game was no longer about getting 30 or 35 disposals a match.

In the statistics-driven modern game, it’s the little things that don’t always show up on the stats sheet that once again show the growth in his leadership.

Still, being a premiership captain can be a double-edged sword.

It allows you to demand more of those around you, but also comes with a different type of pressure that Cotchin wouldn’t have had to deal with before.

There is expectation, and there is a much sharper focus on you and your teammates from the opposition.

But given what we’ve heard from Trent over the summer, it seems the Tigers’ success has only given him a greater perspective on life and football.

The challenge for him this year is to replicate what he produced last season. If he can do that, a new level of greatness beckons for Richmond’s fearless No. 9.

Even at just 27, Cotchin is already a Tiger hall of famer.

Now though, he has the opportunity to sit alongside the likes of Kevin Bartlett and Jack Dyer in club folklore by leading a sustained period of success.

It’s a rare chance and one you’d back Cotchin to strive for, so expect him to return just as hungry in 2018, starting against Carlton on Thursday night.

And if you can’t spot him out on the vast expanses of the MCG just look for the guy at the bottom of the pack, or the one laying the tough tackle. Chances are that’s him.