AFL 2022: Richmond’s free kick count, Trent Cotchin fined for kicking Taylor Walker

Richmond received the fewest free kicks of any team last year and the numbers aren’t great to start 2022. See just how bad the figures are.

Statistics show Richmond’s free kick woes are continuing this season after a lopsided count against Adelaide on Saturday.

The Tigers received the fewest free kicks of any team last year (375) and conceded the equal-fourth most free kicks against (461) to have the worst differential in the competition of -86.

It hasn’t been much better in 2022.

The Crows had an incredible 20 more free kicks (33-13) in the win at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

After the game, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he couldn’t say anything about the lopsided count.

“I can't answer that,” he said when asked about the Crows having 20 more free kicks.

The AFL declined to comment on the free kick count from the game when contacted on Sunday.

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Noah Balta tackles Crow Sam Berry on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

The match against the Crows continued an unwanted trend for the Tigers.

So far in 2022, they have only had more free kicks than their opponents once — against Greater Western Sydney in Round 2, when they had eight more.

Carlton had eight more than Hardwick’s side in Round 1, so did St Kilda in Round 3 and the Western Bulldogs 10 more in Round 4.

The Tigers’ 131 free kicks against is the most of any side so far this season.

Adelaide, on the other hand, has enjoyed a remarkable run so far in the Crows' home games at Adelaide Oval.

In Round 1 against Fremantle, they had 32-16, while in the Showdown it was 28-23 in the Crows’ favour.

Senior coach Matthew Nicks says he was surprised his side was +20 in free kicks against the Tigers.

“I didn’t even know the stat,” he said.

“I was probably upstairs complaining as much the other way.

“I didn’t realise it was +20, I hope that’s because we are putting our head over the ball and going for it.”

Why Cotchin is free to play after kicking Tex

- Jon Ralph

Richmond star Trent Cotchin has been fined for kicking Adelaide’s Taylor Walker but will still be available to take on premiers Melbourne in the Anzac Eve clash on Sunday.

Cotchin’s decision to lash out at Walker as the pair tumbled to ground was assessed as intentional but low impact, which spared him a one-week suspension.

Walker quickly remonstrated with Cotchin over the incident, assessed under the table of offences as low impact and to the body.

Trent Cotchin, right, has been fined for kicking Crow Taylor Walker. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis dodged a staging fine despite going down too easily when milking a free kick from Walker.

Under the AFL’s definition he would need to have been found guilty of excessive exaggeration but the MRO found Walker’s push to his chest was forceful enough for him to be cleared of the charge.

As Cotchin’s first offence, the $3000 fine can be reduced to $2000 with an early guilty plea.

Melbourne defender Steven May has also been offered a $2000 fine with an early guilty plea for tripping Greater Western Sydney opponent Bobby Hill on Saturday night.

The incident was also assessed as intentional conduct, low impact and body contact.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Richmond’s free kick count, Trent Cotchin fined for kicking Taylor Walker