In an interview for an updated version of The Draft, a book by respected draft expert Emma Quayle, Cotchin spoke about the demands of being an AFL footballer and the aspects of the game he loved.
The 23-year-old added: "But I'm looking forward to it being over as well. I reckon if we won a premiership in the next three years I'd pretty much be done."
Cotchin stressed on Thursday that he had made the comment, so it was not out of context, but said: "The way some people have reacted is the incorrect way".
"It was a tongue in cheek comment that has obviously taken a fair bit of attention away from our actual game this week," the star midfielder said.
"We spoke about the book over the off-season last year and it was more so a tongue in cheek line where we were talking about how hard footy is becoming.
"My main focus is to lead the club the best I can, alongside some of our younger leaders.
"The reality of it all is that we are here as a group determined to have success in the future. That's what we're striving towards."
Cotchin said the Tigers had set themselves to have a season-best week of training in preparation for Saturday night's 'Dreamtime at the 'G' clash against Essendon with plenty at stake.
The Tigers have lost big matches at the MCG this season to Geelong and Collingwood, and Cotchin said the team needed to erase short lapses within games that had cost them dearly.
"We've probably let ourselves down in a couple of the big clashes this season so it's our focus to make sure that our training sessions this week have been the best they've been all season," he said.
"It's important that we continue to rise to the challenges and set the standard.
"We've performed in those games for periods, we've just let ourselves down, whether it's for five or 10 minutes, and that's where the margin gets blown out."
Shane Edwards, who has spent more time in the midfield in an impressive start to the season, said he was looking forward to playing in the 'Dreamtime' match and recognising past Indigenous players.
The 24-year-old, who is the Tigers' only Aboriginal player, said Cotchin and vice-captain Brett Deledio had been crucial in making his move to the midfield a success.
"The coaches have given me a bit more responsibility and I'm just trying to repay that," he said.
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
