Trent Cotchin should be allowed to play in 2017 Grand Final: fans, footy greats

RICHMOND greats and footy fans have urged the AFL to let Trent Cotchin play in Saturday’s Grand Final, as the Tigers captain sweats on the outcome of a MRP investigation.

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RICHMOND greats and footy fans have urged the AFL to let Trent Cotchin play in Saturday’s Grand Final, as the Tigers captain sweats on the outcome of a Match Review Panel investigation.

The Tigers leader could become the heartbreak story of Saturday’s AFL Grand Final if the MRP deems his high hit on Greater Western Sydney’s Dylan Shiel enough to suspend him from the MCG blockbuster.

It is the biggest tribunal dilemma since Anthony Rocca was suspended from Collingwood’s 2003 Grand Final side and Pies defender Jason Cloke was rubbed out of the 2002 premiership decider, both for striking.

Cotchin faces a nervous wait to see if the MRP allows him to play in the biggest match of his life: Richmond’s first crack at a premiership trophy in 35 years.

Richmond’s last premiership-­winning coach, Tony Jewell, said: “If he went for that, I would start losing faith in the game. If he gets suspended where is our whole game, which is based on being hard at the ball?’’

Trent Cotchin was involved in a collision with GWS Giant Dylan Shiel, with Cotchin’s shoulder collecting Shiel’s head. Picture: Channel 7

Richmond premiership coach Tony Jewell, pictured with Francis Bourke, says he would lose faith in the game if Trent Cotchin is suspended.

Tonight, more than 63 per cent of 4300 Herald Sun readers polled online called for Cotchin to be let off.

The MRP will meet at 9am on Monday to rule on whether a fine or suspension is warranted. Cotchin has already been fined twice for rough play; a third would trigger a suspension.

Depending on the result, a week-long circus of tribunal and appeal hearings, focused on the jarring hit on Shiel during Richmond’s preliminary final win, could ensue.

Jewell judged Cotchin’s hit “just a terrific attack on the ball. And it would be tragic for him and the club if he went”.

Five-time Tigers premiership player Francis Bourke said it “certainly was a hard bump’’ but “an accidental collision in terms of contact’’.

Cotchin’s wife, Brooke, told the Herald Sun she had watched the replay “over and over’’ and was confident he would be cleared to play.

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Trent Cotchin after the VFL Grand Final between Port Melbourne and Richmond at Etihad Stadium today. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

“He’d never hurt anyone. I think when it’s played in slow motion it looks far worse.’’

Richmond team of the century defender Kevin Sheedy said: “It’s a good, honest, hard bump. It ruins the game if he goes out, because I don’t think there was any intent to hurt.”

Cotchin was not reported for the head-high first-quarter contact with Shiel. But Shiel failed a concussion test and missed the rest of the game.

The MRP’s four members are former Bomber Jason Johnson, ex-Blues defender Michael Jamison, former Saint Nathan Burke and chairman Michael Christian.

Footy great Leigh Matthews said: “I think it would be really bad for the game if there was a problem with that.”

Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, a former MRP member, also said: “I think he should be fine, but you never know.”

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt argued Cotchin had been putting his body on the line for the Tigers: “He attacks the ball with ferocious spirit.”

Asked if Cotchin was worried, Riewoldt said: “I don’t think so. He’s the captain for a reason. He’s been very calm and measured.’’

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Originally published as Trent Cotchin should be allowed to play in 2017 Grand Final: fans, footy greats