Cotchin = 4 weeks.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Is that kind of a lot? It was late but not THAT late, surely.

Means he'll miss the dees game which is something I guess.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,013]

Wow. I guess the MRP are trying to convince people to take them seriously or something. Perhaps if they were to hand down consistent penalties in keeping with the laws of the game they might have better luck...

[Demonic Ascent 0]

Wow. I guess the MRP are trying to convince people to take them seriously or something. Perhaps if they were to hand down consistent penalties in keeping with the laws of the game they might have better luck...

What an absolute joke. How can Cotchin get 4 weeks for that (was a 50 but no more) yet Hille gets let off for 3 similar incidents early this year and Waite gets off for jumping into Bate's back as well. Ilove this game but the administrators, umpires and MRP are an absolute joke.

[Grandson of a gun 276]

The MRP are more erratic than Melbourne's first quarters.....................

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

The MRP are more erratic than Melbourne's first quarters.....................

Nothing erratic about our first quarters. We're probably the most consistent in the AFL.

Consistently awful. :D

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

What an absolute joke. How can Cotchin get 4 weeks for that (was a 50 but no more) yet Hille gets let off for 3 similar incidents early this year and Waite gets off for jumping into Bate's back as well. Ilove this game but the administrators, umpires and MRP are an absolute joke.

Cotchin was clearly in hot water when he collected the North player. And the Baker decision clearly spells out what is and what isnt expected. And Cotchin's effort was later than Waite's.

[old dee 23,558]

Nothing erratic about our first quarters. We're probably the most consistent in the AFL.

Consistently awful. :D

Unfortuately very true Dappa Dan!

Hope he gets 3 min. we need all the help we can get.

[demon3165 2,625]

What an absolute joke. How can Cotchin get 4 weeks for that (was a 50 but no more) yet Hille gets let off for 3 similar incidents early this year and Waite gets off for jumping into Bate's back as well. Ilove this game but the administrators, umpires and MRP are an absolute joke.

I'm with you on this one but I take it.

[Redleg 40,426]

Cotchin was clearly in hot water when he collected the North player. And the Baker decision clearly spells out what is and what isnt expected. And Cotchin's effort was later than Waite's.

What about Walker, his looked bad and he got a reprimand. Could have crippled the Swan player.

[Choko 493]

I'm surprised to read this.

Cotchin's act was late, wilful and dangerous. It put young Wright out for some time (the whole game?). He deliberately charged into Wright's back and extended his arm. He deserved exactly what he got.

Walker's one looked terrible, but there is no doubt he tried to pull out. He arguably should have lowered his body, so it might have been reckless, but it was certainly not deliberate. I am often critical of the MRP, but they got it right this time.

[Brocky 4]

Walker's one looked terrible, but there is no doubt he tried to pull out. He arguably should have lowered his body, so it might have been reckless, but it was certainly not deliberate. I am often critical of the MRP, but they got it right this time.

Agreed. Walker was trying, but that crap they call turf at that stadium meant he couldn't pull up. Have a look at the turf moving as he tried to stop.

[Mad_Melbourne 873]

is that with or without early guilty plea, and also with or without a good record?

[Guest The Boss]

4 weeks sounds right to me

[45HG 1,539]

3 weeks with early guilty plea. Seems about right to me.

Maybe deserved two...

[Gorgoroth 12,786]

Disgraceful

2 max for that.

[Red Sox 2]

Cotchin was clearly in hot water when he collected the North player. And the Baker decision clearly spells out what is and what isnt expected. And Cotchin's effort was later than Waite's.

Not sure of the symmetry between Baker and Cotchin. Agree there was a case to answer and there was more force than Waite on Bate....that's fine but where is the consistency where similar acts are concerned. This is what frustrates everyone.

It is so easy to sit back and watch a reply but far too many people forget how difficult a game this is to play.

It is hard to judge someones intent from the outside but I would be very very very surprised if Cotchin had any intent to actually cause the damage to the Nth Melb player.

4 weeks is well above the odds and simply not consistent with other decisions.

[No16 1]

4 weeks is a bit stiff but it was a cheap shot that deserved punishment probably three reduced to two with an early guilty plea... These types of infringements could have been stopped earlier if the MRP panel had been consistent with previous offences..

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Not sure of the symmetry between Baker and Cotchin. Agree there was a case to answer and there was more force than Waite on Bate....that's fine but where is the consistency where similar acts are concerned. This is what frustrates everyone.

....

The AFL have sent clear message for obvious reportable acts like Baker and Cotchin. Any perceptions of inconsistencies over a range of past events should not detract from the need to make clear statements. I would have thought this has been done in both cases. Heaven help a player who is guilty of similar crude misdeameanour in the future.

Late hits on players are often not about the intent to maim but reflects the recklessness of a split second decision where Cotchin faces the consequences.

[Jaded No More 68,692]

Idiotically harsh penalty for a player with no previous record.

If it was Scully I'd burn down the MRP!

[H_T 3,042]

Late hits on players are often not about the intent to maim but reflects the recklessness of a split second decision where Cotchin faces the consequences.

Just wish the MRP had made their clear statement regarding split second decisions reflecting recklessness alot earlier; Josh Kennedy... . The truth is with Josh, it was more than a split second decision too....

[No16 1]

Yes it was a split second decision but to cannon into someones back like he did deserves a penalty, albeit, not as harsh as what he received but something in that range. Players courage are sometimes judged on situations where they back into packs knowing that there is the chance that they be hammered but to take a simple mark in the middle of ground then have someone barrel into your back is not on... Wright did not turn at the last second having his back to Cotchin.

What was Cotchin trying to achieve? He didn't have his fist out to try and spoil... it seems that his only intent was to try and lay a big bump and have an impact on the game....

Stupid mental decision by the young tiger.

If it was Scully I'd burn down the MRP!

If Scully had been in the same situation many people here would have accepted two or three games as a suspension.

Edited July 20, 2010 by No16

[No16 1]

They have decided to challenge the 4 match suspension handed down. Maybe a slight downgrade? Has to still get games for that late hit though.

[Dee*ceiving 1,640]

has he taken the 3 with the early plea?

...woops, disregard

Edited July 20, 2010 by Dee*ceiving

[Red Sox 2]

The AFL have sent clear message for obvious reportable acts like Baker and Cotchin. Any perceptions of inconsistencies over a range of past events should not detract from the need to make clear statements. I would have thought this has been done in both cases. Heaven help a player who is guilty of similar crude misdeameanour in the future.

Late hits on players are often not about the intent to maim but reflects the recklessness of a split second decision where Cotchin faces the consequences.

I hear your point Rhino and can't disagree that this is indeed the message coming from the AFL even though I strongly object to the severity of this punishment. What I don't appreciate is the prevalence of inconsistencies that seem to get to a point where the AFL or MRP (I find it hard to distinguish the two as to who decides to 'make clear' these messages) decide that a 'clear message' has to be made and ball players such as Cotchin are made an example of. Especially when it is the lesser of previous acts that do escape censure, eg - Kennedy, Hille, Waite.

This is frustrating and it will be interesting to see how any such similar acts are treated, especially when finals come around.

[Dr. Mubutu 784]

What an absolute joke. How can Cotchin get 4 weeks for that (was a 50 but no more) yet Hille gets let off for 3 similar incidents early this year and Waite gets off for jumping into Bate's back as well. Ilove this game but the administrators, umpires and MRP are an absolute joke.

More importantly, how can Eric McKenzie not even get suspended for 1 week for his rubbish?

The MRP are quickly cementing their place as the biggest farce in the country.