The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Cotchin, Maric in hot water over high contact

Trent Cotchin has been co-awarded the 2012 Brownlow with Sam Mitchell. (Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/AFL Media)
4th July, 2015
3
2034 Reads

Some high contact between Trent Cotchin and Zac Williams in the first quarter of today’s game between Richmond and Greater Western Sydney is likely to draw the eye of the Match Review Panel.

Cotchin may find himself sitting on the sidelines next week having collected Williams high with his forearm after the Giant took a mark near the centre square.

>> MATCH REPORT: Tigers escape Giants scare at MCG

The footage shows Williams taking an uncontested mark before Cotchin arrives at the scene with a far-too-late attempt to spoil.

His contact with Williams is largely a bump between shoulders but also sees Cotchin’s forearm slap into Williams’ head, which is what will likely draw MRP scrutiny.

The Tigers might also be missing ruckman Ivan Maric after he was reported for striking Giant Jack Steele in the third term.

The contact between Cotchin and Williams started off a ruckus between Tigers and Giants players and also resulted in a 50 metre penalty being awarded to Williams.

It’s difficult to tell at this early stage how the incident will be looked at.

Advertisement

Jordan Lewis (two weeks) and last week Kurt Tippett (one week) have both copped suspensions this year for similar incidents, but in both cases the contact appeared more forceful and more direct than it does on this occasion.

The incident would attract no penalty if Cotchin was ruled as having made a legitimate attempt to spoil, however as with the incidents above this appears unlikely to be the case due to the significant length in time between the mark being taken and the contact between players.

If the contact isn’t rated as forceful enough to attract a ban, Cotchin may escape with a financial penalty only.

We won’t know anything for certain until the MRP releases its findings on Monday, but for the time being Tigers fans will have to consider the possibility of being without Cotchin when they face Carlton in Round 15.

close