Gillon McLachlan backs ban for Katie Brennan, insists there was no special treatment for Trent Cotchin

GILLON McLachlan has backed match review officer Michael Christian’s call to suspend Katie Brennan, and insists there was no special treatment for Tiger skipper Trent Cotchin before the Grand Final last year.

Trent Cotchin avoided a suspension late in the 2017 season. Picture: Getty Images

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has backed match review officer Michael Christian’s call to suspend Western Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan, and insists there was no special treatment for Tiger skipper Trent Cotchin last year.

In a moment of déjà vu between the men’s game and the women’s game, the two captains were both looked at closely for incidents on the eve of their respective grand finals.

Brennan had one reprimand from earlier in the AFLW season while Cotchin had two fines for offences from the men’s home and away season.

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Cotchin’s bump on Dylan Shiel left the star Giant dazed and he was later ruled out of the preliminary final with concussion.

However, the inspirational Tiger was not booked by the MRP and went on to play in his club’s drought breaking premiership.

McLachlan backed both calls as being correct.

Trent Cotchin's high bump on Dylan Shiel.

“They got to a different conclusion this time,” McLachlan said on AFL 360.

“They made that decision and they go one way or the other. Having the independent body that they had or (current match review officer) Michael Christian, you know who they are and their job is only to apply the rules as they see it.”

Brennan’s contact was assessed as rough conduct (careless with low impact to the head).

In the men’s game it would have attracted a $3000 fine given it was a second low-level offence.

Because AFL earnings dwarf those in the AFLW, fines are replaced by reprimands, with two in a season triggering a two-week ban that comes down to one with a guilty plea.

McLachlan said he expects Brennan to appeal the ban.

“I can see why she was (suspended). It is the second one from her,” he said.

“She is such a tremendous player. I think she will appeal and we will see what happens.”

The Western Bulldogs are widely expected to appeal the ban. The club must decide before 11am on Tuesday.