Trent Cotchin has found an unlikely ally in Wingard, who defended the Richmond captain’s coin toss decision.
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Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has come under fire after he elected o kick against the wind after winning the coin toss prior to the Tigers’ heavy elimination final defeat to Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Cotchin elected to kick towards the northern end of the Adelaide Oval against a stiff breeze.
His tactic didn’t go to plan as the Power booted eight first quarter goals to lead by 42 points in the first break.
Cotchin was flooded with criticism on social media, while the thousands of travelling Tigers fans were left bemused by the one-sided opening term.
However, Cotchin found support from Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard, who said the wind was difficult to predict.
“The breeze was swirling around a bit… so it was a bit hard to pick an end,” Wingard told SEN Radio.
“The breeze would go hard to one end, and then it would change around. Honestly, it kept changing and you had to adjust when you were kicking for goal.”
Port Adelaide now face Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturday for a place in the preliminary finals, while Richmond now look forward to 2015.
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