Rexcellent
31 Oct 2007, 17:29
Melbourne rules out recruiting Cousins
MELBOURNE has joined the growing list of clubs unwilling to offer disgraced Eagle Ben Cousins a new home, with coach Dean Bailey stating the Brownlow Medallist will not be seen in the red and blue strip next year.
Although it is believed West Coast will retain Cousins on its senior list due to salary cap issues, Bailey got on the front foot and confirmed the club would not be interested in recruiting the premiership player.
"I think the greatest thing Ben can do is get his rehabilitation right and get his life back on track," he said on Wednesday morning.
"But no, we won't be interested in Ben."
While Bailey refused to confirm if another fallen Eagle in Ashley Sampi was on the club's radar, he wouldn't rule it out.
"I think we will sit down with Craig [Cameron, general manager recruiting and list management] and go through the list of players that may or may not be available," he said.
"His [Sampi's] name will be on the list to discuss."
The Demons are also yet to officially name their captain for the 2008 season, with running skipper David Neitz embarking on his 16th senior year.
While a decision is yet to be made, Bailey indicated the sentimental favourite for the position remains Neitz, with the club set to enter a year where it will commemorate its 150th birthday.
"I think that's something that's going to progress over the next three or four weeks. We need to sit down with David and obviously the leadership group that will be on board," he said.
"There will be a process involved in going about the captaincy role. It's very important for our club next year, in our 150th year."
http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=52898
MELBOURNE has joined the growing list of clubs unwilling to offer disgraced Eagle Ben Cousins a new home, with coach Dean Bailey stating the Brownlow Medallist will not be seen in the red and blue strip next year.
Although it is believed West Coast will retain Cousins on its senior list due to salary cap issues, Bailey got on the front foot and confirmed the club would not be interested in recruiting the premiership player.
"I think the greatest thing Ben can do is get his rehabilitation right and get his life back on track," he said on Wednesday morning.
"But no, we won't be interested in Ben."
While Bailey refused to confirm if another fallen Eagle in Ashley Sampi was on the club's radar, he wouldn't rule it out.
"I think we will sit down with Craig [Cameron, general manager recruiting and list management] and go through the list of players that may or may not be available," he said.
"His [Sampi's] name will be on the list to discuss."
The Demons are also yet to officially name their captain for the 2008 season, with running skipper David Neitz embarking on his 16th senior year.
While a decision is yet to be made, Bailey indicated the sentimental favourite for the position remains Neitz, with the club set to enter a year where it will commemorate its 150th birthday.
"I think that's something that's going to progress over the next three or four weeks. We need to sit down with David and obviously the leadership group that will be on board," he said.
"There will be a process involved in going about the captaincy role. It's very important for our club next year, in our 150th year."
http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=52898