RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin looks set to be a Tiger for life after turning his back on free agency to re-sign a five-year contract extension.
Cotchin was set to become a free agent at the end of next season, and would have attracted huge rival offers if he had tested the market.
However, Richmond announced on Thursday morning that it had secured its captain to the end of the 2020 season, when he will be 30.
Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said the club was thrilled Cotchin had made such a long-term commitment.
"Clearly, his decision indicates that he is fully behind the direction the club is heading, and he has a desire to lead the playing group as it continues to mature and improve," Richardson said.
"While we were extremely confident he would re-commit to the club at the end of his current contract, it's a great result that the extension has been finalised so swiftly.
"Trent has grown into an outstanding leader of the club, while maintaining an extremely high level of on-field performance."
The No.2 pick in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, Cotchin has played 131 games in seven seasons at Richmond and captained the club since 2012.
He won his third club best and fairest award this year after averaging 26 disposals, 11.4 contested possessions and 5.3 clearances a game.
In 2012, Cotchin finished joint runner-up in the Brownlow Medal and was named in the All Australian team.
Cotchin is the third high-profile 2015 free agent to re-sign in recent weeks, following the lead of Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker and Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray.
Richmond can now turn its attention to re-signing full-back Alex Rance, who is still set to become a free agent at the end of 2015.
Veterans Chris Newman and Nathan Foley are other Tigers in the 2015 free agency pool.
