Former Brownlow medallist Trent Cotchin hasn't lost a wink of sleep over his All Australian squad snub, instead dreaming of Richmond's first final against Geelong.
The Richmond skipper was a notable absentee in the 40-man list released on Monday.
But Cotchin - who averaged almost 24 disposals in 22 games this season - didn't harbour any ill-will toward selectors.
In fact, the 27-year-old wasn't even sure his busy schedule would have allowed him to attend Wednesday night's ceremony.
"I was busy tonight anyway," Cotchin joked on Wednesday. "It didn't really faze me too much."
Ahead of Richmond's first final since Cotchin infamously chose to kick into the wind against Port Adelaide, the Tigers' midfielder said he'd have traded an All Australian nod in a heartbeat for a chance at retribution.
"If I sat down at the start of the year and you told me that I'd be playing in a qualifying final ... I'd have a big smile on my face," he told reporters.
"It's never been about the numbers, it's never been about the individual awards - it's about getting the best out of our group and I feel as though we're in a pretty strong position."
Despite Richmond securing a top-four finish for the first time in 16 years, unbackable Brownlow favourite Dustin Martin and champion full-back Alex Rance were the only Tigers to make the first cut.
Coach Damien Hardwick said Cotchin's development as a leader this season made up for his less than "sexy" statistics.
"I obviously watch him a lot more closely than most, and I still maintain that the measure of a player is what you do with the players around you," Hardwick said.
"I've got no doubt that our players jump on his back and he leads from the front - you can't measure that."
Meanwhile, Hardwick confirmed hamstrung midfielder Josh Caddy could be put through his paces at the weekend in Richmond's VFL side as he looks to be declared fit to play against his old side at the MCG next Friday.
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