Trent Cotchin looms as the sad news story of Grand Final week after Dylan Shiel hit
IT WILL be the Grand Final tragedy in a week of utter madness. Trent Cotchin faces the very real possibility of missing the ultimate prize, writes Mark Robinson.
Mark Robinson
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IT will be the Grand Final tragedy in a week of utter madness.
Firstly, the Tigers are into the GF and the Tigers nation was crazy and delirious and rocking the MCG like it had never been rocked before.
The scenes at the final siren were unprecedented in terms of noise and fervour and no better version of the famous yellow and black was ever delivered.
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If not the first version, then it was the second.
If not the second version, then it was third, or fourth version.
Yep, it was awe-inspiring, notwithstanding the likely horrible news which will be delivered by the AFL match review panel.
The tragedy will be Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin.
In the most dramatic postscripts to a preliminary final, Cotchin surely will be suspended for his head-high bump on Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel in the second quarter.
The facts are damning.
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Shiel had his head over the ball. Cotchin dived with the shoulder tucked. The shoulder slightly made contact with Shiel’s head. Shiel could not finish the game.
It’s not a witch hunt for Cotchin, for no one would like to see the inspirational skipper miss out on the most precious day of his football career.
He has been outstanding this season, and was again when the Tigers finally secured its passage into the AFL Grand Final.
He finished with 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, nine tackles, seven clearances and six score involvements - and a standing ovation from the fans when he ran to the bench in the final quarter.
Many of the fans wouldn’t have been aware of the seriousness of the consequences of what seemed an aggressive play - but an expected play in a preliminary final - on Shiel on the Southern Stand wing.
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Shiel’s reaction was to clutch his shoulder first, but was later ruled out of the game with concussion.
The Tigers, hopefully, will find a feasible argument to appeal if the Match Review Panel, as is expected, does its role to the letter.
So what favours Cotchin?
He had eyes on the ball, the contact was slight, it was no act of thuggery and, well, it’s a Grand Final.
Don’t discount that last one, although if he escapes a hit that concussed an opponent, then clearly questions will be asked.
Unfortunately for Cotchin, he has two strikes already this season, so even a fine, which would be a third strike, would see him miss one week.
What is curious is that if Cotchin was suspended earlier in the season for his jumper punch to Fremantle’s Lachie Neale, he would play this week if given a fine by the MRP.
The AFL changed its MRP stance on head-high hits, largely because Cotchin escaped suspension over his punch to Neale’s head.
Talk about coming back to bite you on the bum.
Shiel was in his dressing gown on the bench in the third quarter when Cotchin, Dustin Martin and arguably the preliminary final’s best player, Dan Rioli, led the Tigers into the Grand Final.
It goes without saying Martin had a huge influence on the contest, be it at full-forward or on the ball, while Rioli kicked four goals from nine kicks and snuffed out the Giants with two goals in the third quarter.
Cotchin aside, the Tigers have not a worry in the world. Their defensive game stood strong, role players did their job, and they were far cleaner in the forward 50m.
Cotchin, however, is the major worry.
Good lawyers, good Richmond-supporting lawyers best contact club officials as soon as possible with a plausible defence.
Because the captain’s going to need all the help, and some, to beat this one.
If Trent Cotchin gets suspended I'm definitely doing a Helen d'amico at AFL headquarters this week #whosin #imhairer #lethimplay
— Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) September 23, 2017
@tcotchin9 leadership has been as good as any leader I've ever seen #wellplayed #inspirational #tigertime
— Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) September 23, 2017
Cotchin in NO trouble for contact. Went low, hard, eyes on ball and won it. Everything players are taught to do #AFLfinals #AFLTigersGiants
— Campbell brown (@Browndogg_30x) September 23, 2017
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