I have watched the Cotchin/Shiel hit a number of times and at first look it appears like Cotchin is going for the ball. However if you watch closely he goes for the bump by collecting Shiel first and tucking in the elbow for a bump. He also was making no attempt at picking up the ball.
I prefer good old fashioned AFL where bumps are fine, but if the AFL are serious about protecting the head and cracking down on head high contact when a player chooses to bump he should be rubbed out. This was the second biggest game of the year and the teams best player went off at quarter time due to head high contact. However that requires integrity and consistency. Something they have neither of.
Also Hardwick can get stuffed with his I have not watched the replay but he will be fine nonsense. Sounding more like that Muppet Clarkson every day.
Finally I really respect GWS for keeping him off. In the circumstances they could have gotten him to continue playing. Instead they went with the players welfare.
If the AFL are at all serious about protecting players, then Cotchin will go. However, after Big Bad Barry Hall was cleared of a blatant blow behind play, l have zero faith in the AwFuL upholding the integrity of the game. Cotchin will be cleared, or the Tigers will appeal and threaten legal action. It stinks, but it is obvious, that the powers that be, want him to play so the rules will end up like the rest of the game, bent to accommodate.