Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell have officially become Brownlow medallists after retrospectively receiving the 2012 award in a unique ceremony attended by family and close friends in Melbourne.

Before a crowd of about 100 people, Richmond skipper Cotchin was crowned with the game's highest individual honour by triple Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart.

Mitchell was presented with his medal by 1999 winner and former Hawthorn teammate Shane Crawford.

The duo have known for a month they would be awarded the 2012 medal after it was handed back by Essendon star Jobe Watson following the Bombers' doping scandal

Cotchin, who was supported at the event by coach Damien Hardwick and teammates Alex Rance and Dustin Martin, plus close friend Matthew Kreuzer from Carlton, tried to embrace the unusual circumstances.

"I'll enjoy the moment. I've tried to be really humble in the whole thing, and obviously the decisions have been out of our hands so we just went with the flow," Cotchin said.

"I've contacted Jobe, I thought that was the right thing to do, but I don't need to comment any further on that.”

Cotchin becomes the Tigers' fifth Brownlow medallist and breaks Richmond's drought stretching back to Stewart in 1971, while Mitchell is also Hawthorn's fifth medallist and first since Crawford in 1999.

Mitchell, a five-time club champion, adds the medal to his burgeoning trophy cabinet, and Cotchin conceded he was envious of the four-time premiership Hawk's achievements in the game.

"I wouldn't say I'm a jealous person, but I'm certainly envious," Cotchin said.

"Every bit of blood, sweat and tears that you put into this game is based on trying to win a premiership.

"It's an honour and such a prestigious award, but it is an individual award, and we've got lots of work to do at Richmond.

"It's nice to have it (the Brownlow presentation) out of the way and really hone on in on the focus being the season ahead.”