Trent Cotchin captained Richmond through the microwaved membership tickets, the 113-point belting, the noise that had a name on it, and then led them to three premierships with the Richmond Football Club.

But the story isn't what changed in the game plan. It's what changed in the man.

This is a conversation about the moment he called Ben Crowe and realised he didn't have to do it alone.

About the St Rose Cafe meeting with Jack Riewoldt where they stopped making it about themselves and started building for Daniel Rioli's generation. About big paddocks with strong fences, about trust, empowerment and alignment, and about what happens when you finally let the tide go out and see where the rocks really are.

This is a conversation for any leader who's ever felt the weight of the armour they're carrying.

Notebook ready. ...