Panel clears Cotchin to play in AFL grand final

RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin will play in Saturday’s AFL grand final against Adelaide after being cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident involving Greater Western Sydney star Dylan Shiel.

Cotchin bumped Shiel in last weekend’s preliminary final against GWS at the MCG, with the Giants midfielder later failing a concussion test.

Cotchin risked becoming the first player to miss an AFL grand final because of a preliminary-final suspension since Collingwood’s Anthony Rocca in 2003.

The match review panel yesterday considered the incident, when they also cleared Tigers defender Brandon Ellis and Adelaide prime mover Rory Sloane.

“Cotchin moves down low and braces for contact as Shiel approaches to pick up the ball,” the MRP said in explaining its decision not to charge Cotchin.

“It was the view of the panel that Cotchin was seeking to win possession as his line of direction was always towards the ball and not his opponent.

“The panel determined that Cotchin was seeking to contest the ball and therefore contact was not unreasonable in the circumstances.”

Fellow Tiger Brandon Ellis was also not cited by the MRP for his high bump on Giant Lachie Whitfield.

The 27-year-old Cotchin – who was best afield in the 36point win over GWS – was walking a tightrope as he had twice been fined earlier this year for minor indiscretions.

A third charge – even if the contact had been deemed as low – would have triggered a ban.