• Cotchin, Mitchell awarded 2012 Brownlow Medals
• 'It hurts a bit', says Watson over medal return

SAM MITCHELL never really considered knocking back the opportunity to be awarded the 2012 Brownlow Medal. 

Mitchell and Trent Cotchin spoke publicly for the first time on Thursday about winning the medal that was forfeited by Essendon's Jobe Watson last week. 

"Not really, to be honest," Mitchell said. 

"Better minds than mine are making the decisions on things that we don't know about and in this game you accept the umpire's call and we're both very proud to be Brownlow medallists."

Cotchin said it was a unique experience to be part of: "Mixed emotions. It's different, it's never happened before and here we are now." 

Given the unique circumstances behind their win, they were clearly glad to have each other to share it with, even agreeing to wear lounge suits to the media appearance rather than club attire. 

"It would be pretty daunting sitting here by yourself in a more awkward situation, but I think it's a very special award isn't it?" Mitchell said.

"Most people have received the Brownlow Medal sitting up in front of 1400 people, plus millions (watching on TV).

"There was lots of awkwardness in the way it happened but hopefully from this point on we can put that side of it behind us and just take it for what it is."

• New winners Cotchin and Mitchell feel for Jobe

Cotchin, the Richmond skipper, was away with his family when the news came through. 

"I was up in Noosa, actually, just with the family. I think we were waiting for a four o'clock call from Gill (AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan) and we were wondering if he had a watch," he said. 

"Given the AFL's sponsored by Tissot, it's pretty awkward, but I think the call came through about 4.08pm. So that's where I was, in the sunshine." 

Mitchell said he was home with his family when the call came. 

"I've got my son sitting there, and I get the phone call saying 'you're a Brownlow medallist', I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't a joyful experience to share that with my family right at that point," he said.


Adding to Thursday's occasion, the newest members of the Brownlow Medal club were able to share a laugh with this year's winner, Patrick Dangerfield, who was at AFL House for a photo shoot.

Cotchin said 2012 was the "most consistent year" of his career.

"We must have both have had pretty good years, I suppose. It was probably my most consistent year from an individual point of view.

"We didn't quite have the team success we would've liked, but certainly from my own performances I felt it was the most consistent season I've had."

Mitchell said 2011 might have been his best season, the year in which Collingwood's Dane Swan was a runaway winner on 34 votes.

But there was satisfaction in being recognised after a difficult year off the field – he had three children aged under two and his mother-in-law was gravely ill.

"We lost a Grand Final as well," he continued.

"So before this I look back on it as a season to forget in a sense, but now I guess there's a silver lining there that there's something to be proud of that I was able to achieve an individual honour in a season that carried some burdens of its own."

Mitchell now plays for West Coast following a trade last month, but said it wasn't awkward that he won the medal while playing for Hawthorn.

He has already had his farewell with the club's off-field staff and was getting together with some of his former teammates on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the medal and say goodbye ahead of his imminent move to Western Australia.

Cotchin added that he and Mitchell would likely appreciate the award more once they've finished playing.

"I think we've both discussed that … (but) we're still playing now and it's been a four-year process but we've still won the most prestigious individual award in different circumstances and it's definitely something we'll reflect on post-career more so," he said.

Mitchell would not be drawn on the commercial aspects of being awarded the medal and denied having a clause in his contract guaranteeing more money if he won a Brownlow.

"I don't want to have to answer it ... I didn't personally on my Hawthorn contract, but I don't think that's a question that is the business of the greater public. You don't know anything else about our contracts and I don't think you should know that," he said.

The presentation ceremony will likely take place in the middle of December, around the time of the next AFL Commission meeting.

"Having our families there will be really important and something most winners don't get to achieve," Mitchell said.

Welcome to the club: Patrick Dangerfield with Trent Cotchin on Thursday. Picture: AFL Photos