Trent Cotchin is free to play for the Richmond Tigers in the 2017 AFL Grand Final against the Adelaide Crows after the AFL’s Match Review Panel cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Cotchin collided with Dylan Shiel in the first quarter of the Tigers’ preliminary final against the GWS Giants on Saturday.
He collected his opponent high, and though Shiel came back on to play out the quarter, he didn’t continue on after the quarter-time break, suffering from a delayed concussion.
The Tigers ultimately won the match by six goals, though the margin was just two points in their favour at halftime.
The AFL also reviewed incidents this weekend involving Rory Sloane’s contact with Patrick Dangerfield, and Brandon Ells’ contact with Lachie Whitfield.
However, the MRP confirmed that all three players had been cleared, and there were no charges of any kind laid from the preliminary finals.
The MRP found that Sloane braced for contact against Dangerfield, but did not use a bump action.
It was ruled that Cotchin’s direction was in the line of the ball, and not of his opponent, the contact not unreasonable in the circumstances.
Ellis was ruled to have been contesting the ball, with no further action required to be taken.
(AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
All things considered the decisions made are probably the right ones if you want to have the best grand final possible, which is certainly a priority of the AFL’s.
Are they the best decisions to be made for the priority of adequately punishing and therefore discouraging incidents resulting in possible concussions later on? No, probably not.
This was a juncture point for the AFL to show us with actions rather than words which one of these priorities they rate more highly, and the result should not surprise anyone.
As I tweeted during the game on Saturday afternoon: “If you reckon the AFL would ban a big-name Richmond player before the grand final you haven’t been watching this sport very long.”
Perhaps a rule change could be in order to allow the AFL greater wiggle room to penalise events like these without rubbing players out of big finals.
One of the key factors in the Cotchin decision was that he had already accumulated two fines this year, and under MRP rules, a third strike in the same calendar year triggers an automatic one-match ban.
However even the strictest of invigilators would probably agree that a player missing a grand final for a third-strike fine coming from a minor incident would be a bit farcical.
The AFL could consider amending their rules so that, if a third-strike fine triggers a ban that would rule a player out of a finals match, the ban is instead moved to Round 1 of next year.
But, if a player committed an offence that was worthy of a ban on its own, this would still be enforced.
I’m not going to launch a full-scale Trumpian campaign for the idea, but it’s worth mulling over at the very least.
mickyo
Guest
I am pretty sure Perry you don't understand the spirit of the game, duty of care is just PC jargon for don't be a sniper. Cotchin is not within his rights to do what he did, lets see the resultant carnage if that is allowed. You cannot torpedo yourself into an player head on. Sheil does protect himself and has good awareness and vision. But keep holding the AFL MRP official line
Bill C
Guest
Well maybe the Giants should have taken him off the ground immediately then, I'm sure they're aware of that.
Benji
Guest
The AFL says 25% of concussions are delayed...
Benji
Guest
Maybe GWS have credits at the tribunal in future or a more favourable draw for their silence.
Bill C
Guest
He played the quarter out after the incident with Cotchin.
TC123
Roar Rookie
Yes
Ditraversa
Guest
Will, what are you a guru of? The rules of fair play and the laws of the game, or being a cheer squad for a single club. Obviously the term Guru doesn't mean much to roar editors if your comment is indicative of your general analysis. I hope your next article shows more objectivity.
Ditraversa
Guest
Dead right XI. And dead right every comment that has described the AFL as inconsistent - that;s exactly what it is. I've seen hundreds of comment over the last two days on the Cotchin bump - and only two of them have made any sort of case that Cotchin should not be banned - they were both die-hard Richmond supporters. The sad thing is, I've also noticed a little bit of the good-will towards the tigers disappearing because of this incident. I also agree that the Ellis hit was even more ban-worthy. Can you imagine the uproar if roles were reversed and Toby Greene had laid-out Cotchin or Dustin Martin and not been banned? It was high contact, one week should have been automatic. I'm also not one for conspiracy theories but its hard not to see a strong Victorian bias in this judgement - as there was all weekend against GWS. The bias and sycophantism of the commentators on TV was abysmal. Watch-out Crows they're going to turn this into a state of Origin thing and pack the G with as many rabid Victorians as they can get. Integrity loses again...
Glenn
Guest
It was the 2nd best game in the World, but I'm not sure any more with the way it is officiated. Park footy has over taken it now along with with Shield cricket.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Shame trains were eclipsed by jets a long time ago
Shane
Guest
Was Shiel's absence from the rest of the game too big a penalty? Let's not forget the penalty he and GWS paid, read Mark Williams article in the Age.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Glenn Not black and white at all - and part of the problem is this over the top prior opportunity that encourages players to take possession when they perhaps shouldn't. I do content though that Cotchin correctly braced for body contact contest for the ball. Shiel didn't. It looks worse for Cotchin because of that. Cotchin tucked in his elbows, got low, and got his head out of the way. And he didn't deviate from his course - although granted the ball happened to bounce directly into his path. Shiel changed direction into the headlights so to speak. Shiel did nothing illegal. It was just one of those things. Ellis though should"ve gone.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Farcical. Both Cotchin and Ellis quite clearly should have been suspended. GWS must be absolutely livid that Cotchin committed an illegal act which knocked their star player out of the Prelim yet he eludes punishment. This idea of offering discounts at the tribunal so a player doesn't miss the Grand Final makes the AFL look like a joke. What if an Adelaide player had received a 3-match ban for an incident in Round 23 - would the AFL now retrospectively downgrade his ban to just 2 weeks to ensure he doesn't miss the GF like Cotchin and Ellis?
Shane
Guest
Tuning out, not failing to turn up. I am certainly not paying several hundred dollars to see a boring spectacle and eat terrible and overpriced food. Not to mention the undrinkable beer in plastic cups. Let's face it, AFL these days is an immensely dull live sport, it works better on TV. Paying $20 for a ticket is too much in my opinion. My local amateur teams or local women's league are more entertaining. Sitting down in the park also allows me to leave whenever I wish, drink and eat the food of my choice and stretch my legs out on the grass. I could even smoke the grass if I so desired. Tune out, turn it to local sport and live it up!
Shane
Guest
Cotchin 1.0 was a ball player, Cotchin 2.0 is a sniper.
TC123
Roar Rookie
its actually impossible to take him seriously.
Jusy
Guest
Personally I think the MRP come grand final is a pointless exercise. What's to stop players targeting the opposition playmakers and taking them out for the game? Cop a two week ban next year but if it helps your team win what's stopping it? At least with Rugby union the yellow and red cards are a disincentive. On field indiscretions need to be handled on the field, not next week or season. A card system would help stamp out dubious actions.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
No problems with roughing up, its all part of the game. More will be let go in the GF regardless of the code but the head is off limits these days. He should have gone. By not fining him, it will open a nasty can of worms for the future.
Rod
Guest
Geez Dougie, I bet Shiels appreciates being called collateral damage.
Rod
Guest
Well, this decision will guarantee that heads will be rolling during upcoming football seasons; the players' heads.