Jobe Watson’s shadow looms large over new 2012 Brownlow Medallists Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell’s first media conference

TRENT Cotchin and Sam Mitchell’s first outing as Brownlow Medallists was awkward because of the elephant, or should that be shadow, in the room, Scott Gullan writes.

The shadow of deposed Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson loomed over Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin as they accepted the 2012 gong. Picture: Colleen Petch

NORMALLY the only baggage which comes with a winning a Brownlow Medal is dealing with the media commitments the next day while nursing a decent hangover.

Or for those lucky enough to be playing on the next Saturday, their challenge is to try and forget about Charlie as quickly as possible.

In terms of carrying Brownlow baggage, Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin are starting on their knees.

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And it’s something a few Panadols won’t be able to cure.

Their first official outing together as the joint 2012 Brownlow Medallists was awkward from the start because of the elephant, or should that be shadow, in the room.

Jobe Watson obviously wasn’t at yesterday’s media conference but his presence certainly was.

The shadow of deposed Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson loomed over Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin as they accepted the 2012 gong. Picture: Hamish Blair

How long that will last is the question no-one can really answer.

Mitchell and Cotchin were clearly not comfortable about fronting the cameras two days after they’d joined the history books in highly unusual circumstances.

It was obvious early they didn’t want to dance on Jobe’s grave which ensured a lot of straight bats being played.

There was an awkwardness about the whole thing and it was word used a number of times by Mitchell to describe what had happened since the Essendon captain handed in his Brownlow on Friday.

The regulation post press conference photo together was declined and there wasn’t even any posing for the cameras on stage.

It was a case of get in, say a few words, and then get out as quickly as possible.

Ten minutes wrapped it all up.

And Jobe featured heavily.

Both Cotchin and Mitchell were measured in their responses to questions about the 2012 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

Did they think about knocking back the Brownlow? Have you spoken to Jobe? Will you speak to Jobe? Are you comfortable Jobe didn’t deserve to keep the Brownlow?

Being the senior member of the pair, Mitchell did most of the deflecting and did it well.

“It’s not for us to decide,” he said.

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When they both recalled the moment AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan informed them that they were now Brownlow Medallists on Tuesday, for the first time the real joy they clearly felt leaked out.

Cotchin was in Noosa staring at his phone because the AFL said the boss would call at 4pm. When he didn’t ring until 4.08pm, the Richmond captain had feared the worst.

Mitchell was in his backyard in Hawthorn, nursing his young son on his lap when he was told the news.

While it wasn’t in front of 1400 guests with millions watching on TV, he says it’s still a moment he and his family will cherish forever.

The official party will be held next month where the pair will finally get their hands on Charlie. They will have a say in how it looks and who gets a gig.

But most of all they’re hoping that even in just a few weeks, the shadow of Jobe will decrease, taking a few bags with it.

Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell were foes on the field, but united in accepting the 2012 Brownlow Medal. Picture: AFL Media