Trent Cotchin and Jordan De Goey are both free to play in Round 1 of the AFL season, after escaping with fines from Match Review Officer Michael Christian following incidents in the weekend’s AAMI Community Series match.
Cotchin was hit with a $1500 fine for misconduct after the former Richmond captain appeared to drop a forearm into Melbourne midfielder James Harmes’ neck during a scuffle at Casey Fields; but will be free to take on Carlton in next Thursday night’s season opener.
Had Christian ruled the forearm as low impact and intentional contact to the head or neck, the veteran would have earned at least a one-match ban.
De Goey’s wallet was hit harder, the Collingwood star handed a fine of $3000 for a dangerous tackle on Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek in Launceston. The tackle was graded as careless, low impact and rough conduct, but he will remain available to play Geelong next Friday night.
Both De Goey and Cotchin can have their fines reduced to $2000 and $1000 respectively with an early guilty plea.
GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss escaped any sanction for his crude tackle on Gold Coast’s Tom Berry, with Christian deeming Berry’s jump into the tackle had instigated the collision.
Cotchin’s latest sanction has now seen him accrue $11,900 worth of fines across his career, but a four-week ban in 2010 for charging remains his only suspension.
The three-time Tigers premiership captain has had some controversial escapes in recent years, most notably a fine for a high bump on GWS’ Dylan Shiel in the 2017 preliminary final and one for kicking Adelaide’s Taylor Walker during a match last year.
Cotchin has also received fines for tripping, wrestling, engaging in a melee, umpire contact and striking across his 287-game career, which includes the 2012 Brownlow Medal.
obi wan
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing you were poking your tongue out as you typed that childish rant.
Courbet
Roar Rookie
The Tiges would beaten the Cats had they faced them in the Finals last year....according to the form. The Cats haven't managed to beat the Tigers in a Final since Joel Sellwood was in Primary School and in the 6 years the Tigers have smashed the Cats in a Quali, Prelim & a GF! Yep, the Cats are well and truly still Richmond’s Finals Bunnies!
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Because we just won the premiership and you went out in an Elim final to Brissie, who we thrashed by about 100 points :happy:.
Courbet
Roar Rookie
Why would the Tigers fear their Finals Easybeats, the Cats??
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Whatabout whatabout whatabout. Well whatabout cotchin in previous incidents. Hawkins like most top forwards gets sniped at behind the play all the time. As far as Hawkins being protected, remind me how many players have been suspended for jumper punching. I understand why tiger fans hate Geelong. It's common for football fans to hate the team they most fear. Cant wait for Cats v Tigers. We'll get a chance to rest all of our good players.
Dangersnipe
Guest
Yeah it was. Should've been 3+ weeks yet somehow was only given 1...and the cats appealed it!!!
obi wan
Roar Rookie
Funny, that. Cotch and JDG may have 'escaped' with fines but they won't escape the faux rage of the lily whites here at the Roar.
Bobby
Guest
Hang on, wasnt that week that hawkins got the very prelim that got your tiges to the grand final?
Dangersnipe
Guest
The irony of a Cats fan calling someone else a protected species. Remember when Ablett threw elbows at people a few weeks in a row and escaped suspension. Remember when Dangerfield knocked Vlastuin out with a forearm. Or in the same game when Selwood tried to eye-gouge Baker. Or last year when J Cameron tried to eye gouge Pickett. Or back in 2019 when Hawkins got a week for punching Schofield in the face 100m off the ball?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Nothing in the Cotchin incident. De Goey a little lucky but I’m glad he got off.
Cat
Roar Guru
Of course Cotchin gets off with a meaningless fine - protected species.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Fair enough it wasn’t deliberate, Cotchin fell forward & accidentally gave him the old milkshake between the ears!