Awarding Brownlow Medals to Trent Cotchin, Sam Mitchell a no-brainer, says Mark Robinson
THIS is a sad moment for Jobe Watson. But that shouldn’t detract from a deserving honour for two champions, writes MARK ROBINSON.
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AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said it was “a difficult decision all round’’.
No, it wasn’t.
It was a momentous decision, a hugely momentous decision, but hardly dramatic or difficult.
The most difficult decision was made by Jobe Watson last Friday when he surrendered his title as the 2012 Brownlow Medal winner.
He went against almost every principle be believed in.
The next obvious decision, which the AFL made, was to award the medal to Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell.
It was the perfectly right decision by the AFL and it doesn’t doesn’t need to be said Cotchin and Mitchell are worthy winners.
But why the over-top-drama?
The AFL bosses, Fitzpatrick and chief executive Gillon McLachlan, added a level a of gravity — which was not needed — to a decision which was already made for them.
Yes, it’s sad for Watson, but in what was surely the final act in in this wretched affair, Fitzpatrick said the day “hadn’t been the easiest’’.
Just imagine if Watson didn’t hand back the medal on Friday.
While Fitzpatrick lamented the toughest of decisions, he also explained AFL rules dictated that if the winner of the Brownlow Medal was ineligible, it automatically was awarded to the second placegetter(s).
In other words, it was a no-brainer.
The AFL couldn’t have left the 2012 season with a Brownlow Medal “asterisk’’ because Mitchell and Cotchin would’ve been robbed of what they emphatically deserve.
WADA protocols, which forced Watson’s hand and would’ve forced the AFL’s hand, meant the winner loses the medal and the next best performers are elevated.
Again, it’s sad for Watson, but them’s the rules.
Fitzpatrick’s disdain for Essendon through that period continues.
He gave yet another clip to the Bombers, repeating his belief the 2012 drug program at the club was a stain on the game.
Watson will further clip the Bombers with his compensation claim. It will be in a $1-million-plus and no amount of apologies from the club will reduce that figure.
But this wasn’t about Essendon or Watson, it was about Cotchin and Mitchell.
Many times over the past three years they were asked about accepting the award if Watson lost it. Many times, they tried to avoid the question, although in May this year, Cotchin, in a moment of self-indulgence, admitted he would have to accept the award.
He repeated his claims on Tuesday night.
He said there was “mixed emotions’’, 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.”
The disappointment for him and Mitchell is they missed out on the pomp and ceremony of the night.
I can remember the celebrations for Watson, who was with family, friends and teammates, in a private room at Crown after the count. His face would’ve hurt the next day because he smiled so much the night before and the pride from his parents, Tim and Susie, was absolute.
Now, it is a night to remember for all the wrong reasons.
The Mitchell and Cotchin clans will have their night, mind you.
The details are sketchy about the AFL-planned ceremony in December, and it won’t have the same electricity as Brownlow night, but that can’t be allowed to detract from the moment.
Mitchell will cap a remarkable career by becoming a Brownlow medallist and Cotchin’s season in 2012 was mega.
Their parents and families deserve to be as proud as Watson’s parents.
Perhaps the football public will need time accept the decision, such has been drawn-out process, but to call it a tainted medal doesn’t sit comfortably.
Watson was found guilty of doping — whether you agree or disagree with the decision — and he handed in his medal.
The next-best placed performers were Mitchell and Cotchin.
So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding ...
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