THE AFL has slapped four players with a total of $9000 in fines resulting from a wild melee in the third quarter of Monday night's clash between Richmond and Melbourne at the MCG.

Tigers captain Trent Cotchin, who said the melee had played a role in swinging the game Richmond's way, has accepted a $1500 fine for instigating the melee, which spilled over the boundary line.

Cotchin, who tackled Demons co-captain Jack Viney over the boundary line and started the scrap, was charged with a first offence for instigating a melee.

Viney was charged with a third offence for being involved in a melee, which carries a $4000 sanction that was reduced to $2500 with an early guilty plea.

Star Tiger Jack Riewoldt was off the ground when the melee started but became involved once it spilled over the boundary line, with the MRP offering him a $2500 fine which the forward accepted on Wednesday.

Demons co-captain Nathan Jones also accepted a $2500 fine for a third melee offence after being the 'third man in' as Cotchin and Viney grappled on the turf.

The MRP this year merged bad records for melees and wrestling to deter repeat offenders.

The Panel also has the new power to recommend sanctions to clubs for large melees or multiple breaches in a single season.



Jack Viney, Reece Conca and Clayton Oliver form a fighting chain on Monday night. Picture: AFL Photos

