Tiger Cotchin Loses At Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:03:11 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Trent Cotchin (RICH), charging North Melbourne's Sam Wright: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points), and high contact (two points), equaling seven activation points, a Level Four offense, 425 demerits, and a four game suspension. Cotchin and the Richmond Football Club took the case to the Tribunal in an attempt to have the high contact classification dismissed and downgraded. Cotchin argued that his contact with Wright was to the shoulder. He did plead guilty to reckless and forceful contact. His advocate argued that Wright could have suffered the concussion, which was confirmed by a medical scan, when his head hit the ground and that video footage failed to prove head high contact.

However, video footage did show Wright's head whipping back and forward after Cotchin made contact. Richmond's club doctor submitted a written report that a head or neck injury could occur without direct contact to the head.This was concurred with by North Melbourne doctor Con Mitropoulos who submitted the most damning testimony against Cotchin.

Mitropoulos testified that Wright had a sore jaw and cheekbone as a result of the collision. He added that after the contact Wright was disoriented as he ".... could not remember which way North was kicking or where he was...''. According to a report on SEN Radio, Wright became agitated at the prospect of having to go to a hospital for treatment and this may have been a result of the concussion and the disorientation.

The Tribunal rejected the defense and upheld the original finding of the MRP. As a result, Cotchin will miss the next four weeks.

Michael Doughty (ADE), rough conduct against Geelong's Matthew Stokes: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a clean record over the past five years which reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and accepted, further reducing the penalty to 70.31 demerits and a reprimand.

Jack Redden (BRIS), fined $1200 for a first offense of making contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Jordie McKenzie (MELB), fined $1200 for a first offense of making contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Ashley McGrath (BRIS), rough conduct against Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three activation points, a classification of a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His record of one game suspended within the past three years increases the penalty 10% to 137.50 demerits. He also has 68.75 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 206.25 demerits and a two game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty to 154.69 demerits and a one game suspension with 54.69 demerits held over toward his future record.

Andrew Embley (WCE), fined $2400 for a second offense of negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the fine to $1800.

Eric Mackenzie (WCE), rough conduct against Essendon's Jay Neagle: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Daniel Motlop (PA), rough conduct against Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. His record of one game suspended within the past year increases the penalty 10% to 247.50 demerits. He also has 64.06 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 311.56 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 233.67 demerits and a two game suspension.

Andrew Walker (CARL), bumping or making forceful contact front-on against Sydney's Ben McGlynn: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His five year clean record reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits. He accepted, further reducing the penalty another 25% to 70.31 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Michael Firrito (NM), striking Richmond's Robin Nahas: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Source: theage.com.au, sen.com.au & Patrick Keane, AFL Median Release

Eagles Switch Off Port's Power

rickb — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:24:19 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

In 2008 West Coast won just four games to finish second last on the Premiership table, their worst finish under coach John Worsfold. A home crowd of nearly 38,000 people at the oval once known as Fortress Subiaco had high expectations that the Eagles of old would return to play. The previous weekend the Eagles had a cracking start against Brisbane only to be over-run by nine points in the last quarter. Port Adelaide Power travelled west to Subiaco, where they have an outstanding record, with one win under their belt and their eyes on another.

The Eagles made best early use of the ball and Ashley Hanson's goal in the first minutes of the game had the home crowd on their feet in good voice. Adam Selwood followed with a second goal soon after and the Eagles looked up and about, tackling hard and determined to put on a show. Port Adelaide on the other hand looked lethargic and lacked commitment in the contests. They had the appearance of a team that thought it only needed to turn up to the ground to get the win. The Eagles goaled again when Quinten Lynch kicked truly from 65 meters, giving the Eagles three majors with the Power scoreless. After a series of behinds, Westhoff kicked Port's first goal in the final minutes of the first quarter which ended with the Eagles in front by fifteen points.

Salopek kicked the first goal for Port in the second quarter, and the crowd held their collective breath as visions of the previous week loomed. However, Lynch repeated his monster kicking skills from 70 meters out and kept the Eagles' slim lead intact. A mistake from Salopek - kicking backwards and hitting the point post - resulted in Daniel Kerr taking a free kick on a tight angle in the forward pocket. His extraordinary "banana kick" saw the Eagles out to a 33 point lead, their biggest in the game so far. Daniel Motlop woke up towards the end of the quarter and used his exceptional ground skills to kick a goal just before the long break to keep Port in the game.

Motlop had a major impact in the third quarter and kicked another goal after some poor skills by the Eagles caused a turnover in the midfield. Kerr kept the Eagles in the lead when he kicked a long goal after a 50 meter penalty was awarded against Port. The penalty reflected the newly-introduced and somewhat controversial rule that penalises a player who continues with a tackle after the play has passed to prevent their opponent from moving to take part in further play up the ground. Port lifted their tackling and work ethic during the quarter and West Coast players looked nervous as Port became more ferocious at stoppages and close play. After a series of skilful possessions Eagle Matt Priddis won the football at the 50 meter line and scored a steadying goal for the Eagles to give them a 44 point lead at the break.

Port continued to be indecisive with their ball disposal while the Eagles maintained their intensity throughout the final term. Daniel Kerr, competing in a ruck contest against two men literally twice his size, grabbed the ball and kicked a goal in an inspirational and game-sealing moment. The 75 degree heat took its toll on players and the sting went out of the game in the latter parts of the final quarter although Port's best player, Motlop, would not concede and kicked another goal with three minutes left in the game to give his side some consolation in defeat. In the end the Eagles ran out 50 point winners in a game that restored some Eagle pride and belief that this season would be better than the last. Port Adelaide headed home looking forward next week to an easier game against last year's wooden spooners, Melbourne.

Best
Eagles: S Hurn, D Glass, D Kerr, A Selwood, D Cox, M Rosa.
Port Adelaide: D Motlop, N Krackoeur, B Ebert, S Burgoyne

Scoreboard
WCE  4.3 10.6 16.8  19.11 (125)
Port 1.6  4.9 8.12  10.15 (75)