Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell are worthy recipients of Brownlow Medal, writes Jon Anderson

THEY may not have won it in the traditional manner, but Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell are every bit as worthy as any other Brownlow medallist, writes Jon Anderson. HAVE YOUR SAY

THE uncomfortable nature of their win should in no way lessen the worthiness of Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell as 2012 Brownlow medallists.

The rules are there for a reason, and no matter what your stance may be, original winner Jobe Watson transgressed those rules deeming him ineligible for an award that carries prestige well beyond its station.

FINALLY: COTCH, MITCHELL RECEIVE BROWNLOWS

That’s an argument for another time and as it stands the Brownlow will remain the game’s greatest individual honour, despite its obvious foibles that sees erratic voting patterns from year to year.

And reality tells us that every Brownlow winner has produced a fine season of football, just as Cotchin and Mitchell did in 2012.

In time they will assume their place among the greats on Brownlow night, joining Barry Round, Neil Roberts, Keith Greig, Paul Kelly and the rest at the pre-function drink reserved for the 58 living men to have taken home the medal named after Geelong administrator Charles Brownlow.

They will be awkward at first until some like-minded friendly character officially welcomes them into their unique club, and soon enough the tensions will ease.

Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchins congratulate each other after receiving their Brownlow Medals. Picture: Michael Klein

Mitchell could so easily have been a medallist in other years, finishing top 10 on five occasions, while Cotchin in 2012 was everything a Brownlow winner should be. Brave, prolific and hurtful by ball use, he was voted the best player in the game that season in the AFL Coaches’ Association Player of the Year.

They won’t look out of place in any shape or form when they “black-tie up” next September, even if initially their presence will provide an outlet for those full of bile before those sad haters move on to their next target.

As for Watson, that he can never again be a part of the Brownlow inner-sanctum is cruel, the victim of a reckless football club that didn’t take proper care of their most valuable assets.

It’s cruel that Jobe Watson has been denied footy’s top individual honour. Picture: Michael Klein