AFL Brownlow 2012 decision: Trent Cotchin, Sam Mitchell awarded Jobe Watson medal

• Topic:Australian Rules Football

The 2012 Brownlow Medal has been awarded to Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin, after Essendon's Jobe Watson handed the best and fairest award back last week.

Last week, Watson announced he would return his medal ahead of the AFL Commission's meeting, after a Swiss court opted not to hear a group of 34 past and present Essendon players' appeal against their doping bans.

Before he made the decision to hand it back, it had been considered likely the commission would to take the unprecedented step of taking the honour away.

Today, the AFL deemed Watson ineligible for the 2012 award in order to maintain the status of the Brownlow Medal.

Cotchin said he accepted the award with "mixed emotions".

"I also respect the decision of the AFL Commission and the award that is the Brownlow Medal," he said in a statement released by the club.

Richmond president Peggy O'Neal said Cotchin had a great season in 2012 and the club took pride in him.

"We are proud of Trent, he's a fine captain, player and person, and he is now Richmond's fifth Brownlow Medallist," she said.

AFL chairman Mick Fitzpatrick said the league respected Watson's decision to hand return the medal.

"The commission believes Jobe's decision was a noble one, in respecting the values of the competition and putting the interests of the game before his own, Jobe has shown his commitment to fair play, the qualities of a champion," Fitzpatrick said.

Brownlow function to be held in Melbourne

Watson became Essendon's first winner of the Brownlow since Hird shared the award with Brisbane's Michael Voss in 1996.

The Bombers captain polled 30 votes in 2012 to finish four clear of Mitchell, then at Hawthorn and Richmond's Cotchin.

Cotchin and Mitchell will have their medals presented at a function in Melbourne next month.

"Sam and Trent are deserving Brownlow medallists for the quality of their play in 2012 and the commission wished to pass on the congratulations of the entire football community for their performances," Fitzpatrick said.

Last week Watson said it had been distressing having his integrity questioned, and has opted to give the medal back to the organising body.

Following Watson's decision Mitchell, who will play for the West Coast Eagles next year, refused to be drawn on whether he would accept the medal.

"I'm here to announce being at West Coast Eagles," he told reporters.

"I'm not going to talk about the Brownlow."