Richmond coach Damien Hardwick admits captain Trent Cotchin and wife Brooke have been downcast since the AFL club was fined for the latter’s COVID-19 protocol breach.
The Tigers were issued a $20,000 fine after Brooke visited a day spa on the Gold Coast last week.
The Cotchins have since offered to pay the fine and Brooke on Monday apologised via social media.
She also offered support to AFL Media journalist Mitch Cleary, who was stood down by the league over his decision to tweet a screenshot of Brooke’s initial Instagram post, which exposed her visiting the day spa.
Cleary was reinstated on Monday after outcry over the AFL’s decision.
“As Trent and Brooke do, they admitted they were at fault. It’s been tough on them,” Hardwick told reporters.
“Everyone’s up here trying to do the right thing but the reality is mistakes are going to be made.
“We’ve just got to understand that sometimes people are going to get things wrong, it’s not through any fault of their own, they just made an innocent mistake.”
Two-time premiership skipper Cotchin returned from three games out with a hamstring injury for the Tigers’ last-start 41-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Cotchin is a definite starter for Tuesday night’s clash with Brisbane but Hardwick conceded the Tigers will be cautious with the veteran midfielder during a heavy schedule of games.
After battling the Lions, Richmond will fly to take on ladder-leaders Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Hardwick said the 30-year-old Cotchin will be “less likely” to play against the Power and could be rested.
In a boost for the Tigers as they continue to build momentum in their premiership defence, Nick Vlastuin has recovered from a calf injury and the dependable defender will play against Brisbane.
Key defender Jack Payne will debut for the Lions after veteran Grant Birchall was managed.
Brisbane are second on the ladder as one of the AFL’s in-form teams but they will have to overcome a 11-year hoodoo to improve their season record to 8-2.
Richmond have won their past 14 encounters with the Lions, dating back to 2009 and including last year’s qualifying final at the Gabba.
It is the longest-active winning streak by one club over another in the AFL.
Simply Simon
Guest
That seems to be a recurring theme in your comments ..... a cut and paste job perhaps. Just because some fans make passionate statements that aren't all clap happy doesn't make them wrong.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Someone said to him “Get along little doggy” so he got a Daschund.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Are you suffering from PTS? (Sorry Peter)
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Please don't invoke me. I'm enjoying my reclude with Freija.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Look at mei look at mei
2dogs
Roar Rookie
You won the internet today! :laughing:
RT
Roar Rookie
If my wife earnt Cotchin's wage and I had 3 young kids I would also choose to stay at home. In an attempt to sound modern, you are being narrow minded.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
No, no they’re worried about their humours getting thrown out of whack by the pox. They’ve sacrificed fifty virginal goats to Odin.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Barnaby joyce subsists on a diet of eating celebrity’s dogs.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
I actually have a little bit of sympathy for Ed on this occasion. A rather uncomfortable and foreign feeling to be honest.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Can’t help liking the bloke. Will always remember his class and grace after the 2018 preliminary in defeat. Fact is, there will be more breaches and as Ed found, the moment you point the finger your own players, partners or club staff may well bite it off.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Really?
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Well it does look very noice . . .
Nick
Roar Guru
Oh, I thought your borders were shut because of spanish flu?
Gary
Roar Rookie
Geez... someone is having a "leave Britney alone" moment
Rissole
Roar Rookie
We did note in our staff meeting today that we should prepare for Coronavirus to arrive here in 10 years.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Absolutely right. But there will be those here Eddie who will latch onto it so they can enjoy a bit of outrage. Especially as it’s the Cotchins and the Tigers.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Storm in................er........what is it? Oh, yeah.................a teacup!
David O\'Hara
Roar Rookie
Doing it tough? Poor babies. I was made redundant because of the virus. I have no income, no support, no likelihood of finding a job any time soon in the current climate. Am i supposed to have sympathy for these pampered idiots?
Nick
Roar Guru
You're darn right it's not 1950 in WA. You are still about 20 years from getting to the 50's. :p