The AFL's chooks have come back to roost. If they had dealt with Cotchin as they should have when he snotted Lachie Neale, they would have had some wriggle room. As it is, the only way Cotchin plays is if they completely exonerate him, and that just can't happen.
Of course he's unlucky, of course he was in the contest, of course he was trying to win the ball. But – of course – he did so by changing directions, getting between Shiel and the ball and making forceful contact with him. In the process, he contacted Shiel's head, causing a game-ending concussion.
Is he guilty? Yep. Should he be rubbed out? Nope.
If only the AFL hadn't let him off the jumper punch, he'd be playing. But they didn't so he's gone.