Calls for tribute to Trent Cotchin, Sam Mitchell at 2017 Brownlow count
HAWTHORN’S 1999 Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford has called on the AFL to pay tribute to newly-crowned 2012 winners Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell at next year’s count.
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RICHMOND’S last Brownlow Medallist Ian Stewart says newly minted recipient Trent Cotchin deserves to join the exclusive club of Tiger winners.
And Hawthorn’s 1999 Brownlow Medallist Shane Crawford has called on the league to pay tribute to Cotchin and fellow 2012 winner Sam Mitchell at next year’s count.
Cotchin and Mitchell were personally called by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and told they would replace Jobe Watson as the joint 2012 winners.
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After a week of discussion the AFL revealed the decision by the commission to elevate the pair was the only outcome its rules permitted.
McLachlan told the players they could invite 20-40 friends and family to an intimate Melbourne function in coming weeks, where the award will be handed to them.
But while media will be able to cover that event it will not be open to the public, with details to be considered in coming days.
Triple Brownlow medallist Stewart is the most recent Tiger to win the award before Cotchin in 1971, and one of only five Richmond Brownlow medallists.
He said Mitchell and Cotchin, who polled 26 votes behind Watson in 2012, will eventually be considered in the same way as the AFL’s retrospective medallists.
But Stewart says he will always regard Jobe Watson as a Brownlow medallist despite him handing the medal back on Friday night.
“Both those players are very deserving. Cotchin is an outstanding player and despite what some say, he is also a very good captain,’’ he said.
“In time people won’t remember (the circumstances). It will be like the guys who lost on countback and subsequently won them retrospectively.
“Cotch is very worthy and so is Mitchell, but then again so is Jobe and I will always regard him as a Brownlow medallist. He deserves it and he won it.”
The AFL said it was determined to move on quickly to hand the players the award in coming weeks.
But Crawford said it would be a mistake not to pay tribute to them at next year’s Brownlow Medal count.
“That way they can take that back with them for the rest of their lives, that they got their small moment in their sun and were acknowledged in front of their peers on the special night that it is,” Crawford said.
“These guys deserve to be honoured in the right way.
“You can’t rewind the clock, but I’d love the AFL to have a ceremony (next month) where we don’t talk much about why we’re in this situation.”
Crawford said he felt for Watson, but the AFL Commission made the right call.
“It’s a bit awkward, and I’m sure the guys would feel a bit awkward about it,” Crawford said.
“But when they look back in 20-30 years’ time they’ll be proud to be Brownlow medallists.”
Cotchin said he would accept the award without real joy.
“I accept the 2012 Brownlow Medal with mixed emotions,’’ he said.
“But I also respect the decision of the AFL Commission and the award that is the Brownlow Medal.
“This has been a difficult time for Jobe, but I have great respect for him, and the decision he made in very tough circumstances.”
Mitchell was similarly reflective.
“I’m honoured to be named a Brownlow medallist today but at the same time I feel enormous empathy for Jobe Watson and his family.”
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he had no interest in how Watson’s medal was returned, with the award yet to be returned to AFL headquarters
The AFL likely has several 2012 Brownlow Medals already minted given its official jeweller Cash’s Awards strikes multiple medals each year.
In 2014 it struck eight medals in case of multiple winners, and the 2012 count was just as close.
Originally published as Calls for tribute to Trent Cotchin, Sam Mitchell at 2017 Brownlow count
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