AFL grand final: Was the MRP right to clear Cotchin?

The AFL's match review panel was deciding whether Cotchin could be suspended over his high bump on Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel.

Cotchin's hopes of playing in Richmond's first grand final since 1982 hung in the balance and had the whole of Melbourne talking after he delivered the hit during the first quarter of the club's historic preliminary final win.

Shiel played on after the hit but later failed a concussion test and was ruled out from playing the three remaining quarters.

It was one of the biggest tribunal decisions for the AFL since Sydney full forward Barry Hall was cleared of striking ahead of the 2005 grand final.

The MRP had to decide whether Cotchin's bump was enough to warrant him being charged with rough conduct or forceful front-on contact.

In both cases, the crucial point was whether Cotchin had a realistic, alternative way of contesting the ball.

Replays of the bump showed Cotchin going in low and turning his body as he contested possession with Shiel, who appeared to reach the ball first.

Cotchin's shoulder looked to catch Shiel on the head as the Giants playmaker reached down to pick up the ball.

In classifying the offence, the panel needed to decide whether Cotchin's conduct in bumping Shiel was careless and whether he breached a duty of care to his opponents.

Impact also needed to be determined, from low up to severe, which took into account the potential to cause injury and what Cotchin's body language was before the incident.

The way Cotchin tucks in his arm before contact might have been a factor looked at by the MRP.

The MRP also received medical information from the Giants on the nature of Shiel's injury.

A second bump on Shiel by Richmond defender David Astbury 10 minutes after the Cotchin hit could have been a factor in the injury.