View Full Version : Ben Cousins
I dont know about anyone else. but i personally would love to have him. we need another gun midfielder, after harvey goes we could have dalsanto, hayes, ball, cousins:thumbsu: we just need that extra driving force.:)
lenny_27
25 Jun 2008, 15:56
i thik Cousins is a very good player and will have at least 2-3 years of good football left in him. However he does come with a lot of baggage as im sure half of the world already knows. It will also be a media circus once he comes back, so wether the club needs that im not sure..But in saying all that i think he could fit into our midfield beautifully. He would really complement Ball and Hayes, as he can break the lines and add some spark to our midfield. Personally i think he would be worth a pre-season pick only if the club thought he was 100% over his drug problem..
SaintsSeptember
25 Jun 2008, 16:17
i thik Cousins is a very good player and will have at least 2-3 years of good football left in him. However he does come with a lot of baggage as im sure half of the world already knows. It will also be a media circus once he comes back, so wether the club needs that im not sure..But in saying all that i think he could fit into our midfield beautifully. He would really complement Ball and Hayes, as he can break the lines and add some spark to our midfield. Personally i think he would be worth a pre-season pick only if the club thought he was 100% over his drug problem..
Our midfield is OK and we can do better than getting into a bidding war for someone elses second hand garbage.
CHBench
25 Jun 2008, 16:28
If he was to enter the National Draft which round would you take him?
SaintsSeptember
25 Jun 2008, 16:43
If he was to enter the National Draft which round would you take him?
As per some of the other threads, we need more young guys coming through and not necessarily midfielders, also a possible bad influence on Gardner. So for me third round, but i would expect he would be gone to another club by then.
TassieSaint
25 Jun 2008, 16:46
Cousins + Michael Gardiner = Trouble
Plus he would potentially take up a spot on our list that we could use on a young player. How old is Cousins now? How many seasons would we get out of him?
As good as he is (was?) I say no personally
Armitage2Riewoldt
25 Jun 2008, 17:03
If it were 2004-2005, hella yes. But not now...we aint gonna win a flag in the next few years, whats the point?
Squizzy1970
25 Jun 2008, 17:20
I think that's about it Armo2Roo.
We have more recently traded for Birss, Gardiner M, King, Gardiner C, Schneider and Dempster which points to us thinking we were on the cusp.
Obviously the players think they have the list (Roo and Ball have said as much in interviews), and they may be keen to have him if they truly believe this.
But I doubt we would really be that certain (now) of challenging. Although you look at how Judd has changed the make-up of Carlton. I know Cousins is older but he seems like a Shane Crawford to me (could play until he's 35). Would think he would play for quite reasonable pay (if he is truly contrite and wants to show the footy world)
A bit torn on this one!
SaintsSeptember
25 Jun 2008, 17:28
I think that's about it Armo2Roo.
We have more recently traded for Birss, Gardiner M, King, Gardiner C, Schneider and Dempster which points to us thinking we were on the cusp.
Obviously the players think they have the list (Roo and Ball have said as much in interviews), and they may be keen to have him if they truly believe this.
But I doubt we would really be that certain (now) of challenging. Although you look at how Judd has changed the make-up of Carlton. I know Cousins is older but he seems like a Shane Crawford to me (could play until he's 35). Would think he would play for quite reasonable pay (if he is truly contrite and wants to show the footy world)
A bit torn on this one! There is also the risk, the wrong stuff in a cup of piss and your first round pick is up there with Barry Brooks.
St Specky
25 Jun 2008, 17:31
I'd personally love him. I'd expect he'd go in the PSD so he can put a price on his head. I'd say we'd get pick 7-10 and I'd take him at that (PSD only though). National draft our 3rd rounder.
Squizzy1970
25 Jun 2008, 17:53
There is also the risk, the wrong stuff in a cup of piss and your first round pick is up there with Barry Brooks.
I know, but poor old Barry probably needed to get on the gear (at least some angry pills!).
makemytime
25 Jun 2008, 17:55
He'd be good sure, and he will add some midfield pace but topping up with recycled players is never really the way to go and we should draft in some jewels in the rough kids rather than a man who will play for a couple of years
SaintsSeptember
25 Jun 2008, 17:59
The way I see it Judd/Cousins was a winning team that another club had and I am thankful that we have Hayes/Ball and look forward to Armitage getting up to that level as well.
Then again - If Ross Lyon got on the gear it might help, at least he would sound more interesting.
Nothingman11
25 Jun 2008, 18:15
he's a match winner
saints need a match winner
+1 for me
Squizzy1970
25 Jun 2008, 18:20
The way I see it Judd/Cousins was a winning team that another club had and I am thankful that we have Hayes/Ball and look forward to Armitage getting up to that level as well.
Then again - If Ross Lyon got on the gear it might help, at least he would sound more interesting.
As long as he stays away from the weed. That could be disastrous for the listening public.
Armitage2Riewoldt
25 Jun 2008, 18:44
Also he and Mickey G could be a cocktail for disaster...
At least, I think.
TheTrav
25 Jun 2008, 19:58
He probably has a good 2-3 maybe even 4 years left in him, if he has kept himself in top shape. I wouldn't mind it, thought I wouldn't mind getting a gun 20yrold midfielder.
CHBench
25 Jun 2008, 21:05
Also he and Mickey G could be a cocktail for disaster...
At least, I think.
They could also be a cocktail for tearing the opposition a new asshole. :thumbsu::)
CHBench
25 Jun 2008, 21:20
Oh yeah as well i heard Rossy on radio saying he would be considered if he proved his health/fitness etc. Said he wasn't going to comment any further until then. So he hasn't crossed his name out yet. And there is a rumour floating around he is signing with Sandringham. Look at it anyway you want.
I definatly agree with the poster who said we need a match winner. That he is. Former captain, could really help with the growing of the group. He is serious about AFL, i'm very very confident he will stay away from the drugs and the baggage that comes with it.
But Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs, Richmond, St Kilda and Geelong would not rule out the possibility of recruiting the 2006 premiership player and four-time Eagles best and fairest.
From that i doubt Geelong will recruit him, not enough cap space.
Further in the article Richmond assistant coach said they will not be going after him. Bulldogs, nope just read that they have declined. Collingwood are a real chance, Mick Malthouse factor. Neither of these teams commented besides us:
"The most important thing is that Ben gets his health back on track and and any other discussions are premature as far as we're concerned." - football manager Matthew Drain
Ross Lyon said very much the same thing on 3aw. Seems they have been discussing the possibility.
just a line monkey
25 Jun 2008, 21:50
To much of a risk, of all teams the saints are a team that could do wih out the bad publicity if he stuffs up again.
Also mixing in with Gards might not be the best thing.
At the same time tho, it would be stupid of me to think that everyone on the st kilda list is drug free. This also could be a temptation for Ben, so in my mind its a big no-no.
HoldenMCaulfield
25 Jun 2008, 22:53
It's a tough one...
My head says no, it may (with a likelihood not be underestimated) end in a disaster.
But my heart says, yes, imagine Hudghton to Hayes to Dal Santo to Cousins to Harvey to Riewoldt - it could be soooooo .... swell !
CHBench
25 Jun 2008, 23:21
Adelaide:
"We're just not interested." - football manager John Reid
Brisbane Lions
Coach Leigh Matthews could not be contacted. - Doubt he will go to an interstate club.
Carlton
"We're sort of going down more of a youth set-up." - coach Brett Ratten
Collingwood
No comment - Found a snippet on Sportal
"And Collingwood, a club that has been linked to Cousins because of his close relationship with Magpies coach and former Eagles coach Mick Malthouse, also said on Wednesday it had no interest in recruiting Cousins."
Link (http://sportal.com.au/AFL-news-display/clubs-shy-away-from-cousins-51176)
Essendon
"Unlikely, he doesn't fit in with our youth policy." - club spokesman
Fremantle
"We haven't discussed Ben Cousins at any of our list management meetings in the past. It would be highly unlikely that he would be discussed at any stage in the future." - coach Mark Harvey
Geelong
No comment - Can they fit him in their salary cap?
Hawthorn
"We've said we wouldn't be interested in him all along." - club spokesman
Melbourne
"No interest at the Melbourne Football Club, we're focused on the age group of 18 to 22." - football manager Chris Connolly
North Melbourne
"He's probably not the right fit for us at the moment (for) a whole host of reasons - age, the amount of footy he's missed." - coach Dean Laidley
Port Adelaide
"We'd look at it if he's going to play again, but I wouldn't think so at this stage. At this stage of his career I don't think we would be interested in recruiting a player at his age." - football manager Peter Rohde
Richmond
"Does he take the spot of one of our up-and-coming developing midfielders? That could be the case. Or does he come into your midfield with his experience of being a Brownlow Medallist, a premiership player a captain, does he come in and actually teach your midfielders certain aspects of the game?" - assistant coach Brian Royal
St Kilda
"The most important thing is that Ben gets his health back on track and and any other discussions are premature as far as we're concerned." - football manager Matthew Drain
Sydney
"It's been well documented that we've got no interest in him." - club spokesman
Western Bulldogs
no comment - On the bulldogs board, saying the club has already said they don't want him.
West Coast
chief executive Trevor Nisbett did not return calls - Doubt he will return there.
Are clubs covering their tracks and trying to keep a low profile?
"It's believed one club has said it would draft Cousins if he was mentally and physically fit, and if he makes himself available." - Herald Sun
Ross earlier on 3aw said something along the lines of:
"He would only come into consideration if he proved he was healthy/fit"
I'll get the online link once it's available.
Oh man i'm going crazy. I can't stop. Maybe i'm just looking into things a bit too much???
Kildonan
26 Jun 2008, 00:00
Wow - a lot of effort went into that post CHBench and yet it is still inconclusive isn't it?
CHBench
26 Jun 2008, 00:08
Nah, not really just copy & paste from foxsports ;)
Nothings conclusive 'till draft day but i like speculation.
panthers
26 Jun 2008, 01:04
Yeah I would like to have him in our team. Saying that as long as he was completely free of anything illegal:)
Squizzy1970
26 Jun 2008, 09:52
Interesting comments CHB.
I don't think there is any doubt that (1) he could prove his fitness (2) the Saints need pace and skill.
I wonder what Riewoldt/Hayes/Ball think (and might even prompt Harvs to go on if he has someone like this to give it too)? If they want him, and his $ ask is not too high, maybe we should too.
SaintsSeptember
26 Jun 2008, 10:06
Oh yeah as well i heard Rossy on radio saying he would be considered if he proved his health/fitness etc. Said he wasn't going to comment any further until then. So he hasn't crossed his name out yet. And there is a rumour floating around he is signing with Sandringham. Look at it anyway you want.
I definatly agree with the poster who said we need a match winner. That he is. Former captain, could really help with the growing of the group. He is serious about AFL, i'm very very confident he will stay away from the drugs and the baggage that comes with it.
From that i doubt Geelong will recruit him, not enough cap space.
Further in the article Richmond assistant coach said they will not be going after him. Bulldogs, nope just read that they have declined. Collingwood are a real chance, Mick Malthouse factor. Neither of these teams commented besides us:
"The most important thing is that Ben gets his health back on track and and any other discussions are premature as far as we're concerned." - football manager Matthew Drain
Ross Lyon said very much the same thing on 3aw. Seems they have been discussing the possibility.
What has given you that confidence? A guy I work with knows someone ( yes i know it now becomes rumour and innuendo ) who saw him trying to score ( not football ) last time he was in Melbourne. And from the sound of it his rehab in the USA consisted mainly of getting laid.
Sir Robert
26 Jun 2008, 14:04
I would say yes if it doesn't cost us a high pick in the National Draft. I think we need to use that for a young gun mid or a KPB... Altho kicking goals seems to be our problem not stopping them.
If it was the Pre-season draft and he was available I'd say go for it, and I'd make sure Robert Harvey plays on. He is the difference between where we are now and where we want to be!
ultimate hater
26 Jun 2008, 14:05
get him down i think.. he is a gun and an inspirational player.. hence the title of "spiritual leader" when he was at westcoast.. obviously his off-field anticts were quite bad, but on field, we need a standout gun like him - someone who works their ass off and shows people like dal santo how to work hard and it would jazz up our midfield which has just been "coasting"..
as for the gardiner/cousins combo, i think it would work out well.. im pretty sure gardiner has now got his head screwed on.. i also think chick was the biggest influence on both cousins and gardiner over in WA..
gardiner knows that if he stuffs up once he is gone as we've got ruckmen supplies now and i'm sure he'd be able to word up cousins about it, and he may be the only guy who could actually get through to cousins as he knows it'll be his last chance and then he is gone...
some people didnt want gardiner down and i know he has had troubles with injuries, but im sure having his experience down there and the fact he has kept such a low profile, it was a gamble that has well and truely paid off..
bubblegoose
26 Jun 2008, 15:15
What has given you that confidence? A guy I work with knows someone ( yes i know it now becomes rumour and innuendo ) who saw him trying to score ( not football ) last time he was in Melbourne. And from the sound of it his rehab in the USA consisted mainly of getting laid.
My mate runs a big club & had him in during his 'dry' spell.
bubblegoose
26 Jun 2008, 15:16
My mate runs a big club & had him in during his 'dry' spell.
... but he was reasonably well behaved.
bubblegoose
26 Jun 2008, 15:18
I'd want the club to consider him, if he meets the requirements for low outlay - why not.
The guy had 2 months off went overseas came back and in his first game back took 40 possesions. We should be making a strong bid for this guy. Cousins + 2 really speedy onballers is exactly what we need. I say get the guy over, get him back on the sauce and let him win us a premiership....
Kidding about the sauce.
But seriously, we dont have much to loose. If he comes over and plays up well you just get rid of him. Its as simple as that. Considering he will never play football again will be enough encouragment for him to stay in line, and if its only us and richmond interested then we will retain our draft picks too.
Sir Robert
26 Jun 2008, 15:48
Also... In reality if he's in Melbourne whether at the Saints or another club he is going to hang out with Gardiner... So can't use that excuse, it is life.
And Gardiner to date has been a great acquisition!
bubblegoose
27 Jun 2008, 00:01
Also... In reality if he's in Melbourne whether at the Saints or another club he is going to hang out with Gardiner... So can't use that excuse, it is life.
And Gardiner to date has been a great acquisition!
& cue the stomach tattoo joke here ...
Danger Mouse
27 Jun 2008, 20:40
Take Cousins in a heartbeat. Oh man it would be overkill to see Hayes and Cousins in the middle. A second flag here we come... :)
Take Cousins in a heartbeat. Oh man it would be overkill to see Hayes and Cousins in the middle. A second flag here we come... :)
Bingo! We are in no position to be choosey. The guy is a gun and would be an enormous asset. To be honest I couldn't care less what he does in his free time, as long as on the track and on the field he is fair dinkum. If we get a premiership out of him it will have been worth it no matter what the cost off the field.
sainter
28 Jun 2008, 03:57
Also... In reality if he's in Melbourne whether at the Saints or another club he is going to hang out with Gardiner... So can't use that excuse, it is life.
And Gardiner to date has been a great acquisition!
I agree.
I don't think we should dismiss Cousins on the basis of his history with Gardiner because whether we like it or not Cousins is moving to Melbourne to train with a VFL club shortly and if he's drafted it will most likely be by a Melbourne based club. He's going to be here and Gardiner is his best mate. They will spend a lot of time together regardless of whether Cousins becomes a Saint or not.
You have to give Gardiner some credit for the way he's conducted himself on and off the field too. You'd think he has earned the respect of his teammates and if Cousins was to join the club he'd not want to jeopardise that, as well as Cousins himself wanting to prove himself to his new teammates.
I don't know if I want Cousins at this stage. He didn't impress me too much on The Footy Show. However we'd be silly to rule it out at this stage. The team that selects him will get themselves an outstanding midfielder. One of the best in the game. The thought of him playing alongside our current crop excites me but he has to be over his off-field problems and we've got a while to go before knowing if he has.
Cousins -> Jud -> Kerr = Premiership
Cousins -> Hayes -> Ball -> Harvey? -> Dal -> Goddard = Premiership
Thats how simple i see it.
When Eagles won the GF they had a week Foward line - strong backline and a killer midfield.
With Cous our team would emulate that kind of structure.
wheels4
28 Jun 2008, 15:35
maybe its a hard choice
Look2Me4Guidance
28 Jun 2008, 17:07
As long as the playing group were happy to have him, then I'd be all over it.
SaintsSeptember
3 Jul 2008, 11:29
Apart from which teams would want him and why. Does anyone else think there are huge double standards about sportsmen and recreational drugs and other media personalities.
Amy Winehouse still performs at Nelson Mandela's birthday.
Brittney still has a record contract ( even if she was clean I'm not sure why).
What would the results be if they did random drug tests through the onscreen staff of a television studio.
Sportsmen no doubt get exposed to this culture when they become celebrities and start to associate with some of the other celebrities.
Persevering Saint
6 Jul 2008, 17:00
get him down i think.. he is a gun and an inspirational player.. hence the title of "spiritual leader" when he was at westcoast.. obviously his off-field anticts were quite bad, but on field, we need a standout gun like him - someone who works their ass off and shows people like dal santo how to work hard and it would jazz up our midfield which has just been "coasting"..
as for the gardiner/cousins combo, i think it would work out well.. im pretty sure gardiner has now got his head screwed on.. i also think chick was the biggest influence on both cousins and gardiner over in WA..
gardiner knows that if he stuffs up once he is gone as we've got ruckmen supplies now and i'm sure he'd be able to word up cousins about it, and he may be the only guy who could actually get through to cousins as he knows it'll be his last chance and then he is gone...
some people didnt want gardiner down and i know he has had troubles with injuries, but im sure having his experience down there and the fact he has kept such a low profile, it was a gamble that has well and truely paid off..
Just because you're always HIGH and trying to get everyone else up there with you does not make you a spiritual leader...