Is Cousins finding form or is it just an illusion?

[mcuzzy]

he taught out entire team how to shepherd

that's sayin something

edit: is it true that at the richo farewell dinner cousins was being a **** to all the fans trying to talk to him and ask him for an autograph?

 

[DM10]

he taught out entire team how to shepherd

that's sayin something

edit: is it true that at the richo farewell dinner cousins was being a **** to all the fans trying to talk to him and ask him for an autograph?

No, not true. He can't do photos but very generous with autographs. Also i hear very good out at Mt Waverley training clinic with kids and other Richmond players, not sure who. Record number of Mothers attended. Women love him. Husbands, boyfriends dislike him. Same as Rusty T.

 

[DM10]

Good question DM10 , what would I do if Andy Collins was delisted next year ? Never thought of it as I think he shows more talent and definately more application than alot of the kids on the list. If Andy was delisted I'd do absolutely nothing because there is nothing I could do. Maybe I could write a strongley worded letter to Brendon Gale if they flick him .

By the way I think you have over rated Cousins game against the Saints a little. I wish all these things are true you typed about him and hopefully he is finding more form and fitness as the year goes on.

Oh and I'm not sure what Andy's stats were but on face value I do remember him kicking 2 goals , 200% more goals than 20 other team members.

You don't know stats for Collins. From champion data here they are.
12 poss - 75% Tog- 67% eff.
1 inside 50 - 1 tackle - 1 mark - 2 goals. 59pts.

I think Collins has a lot of talent and hope he stays at the club. He has work to do! Cousins never had the skills of Judd/Matera/ Delido. He never was a good kick! Like he said, he had to work very had and was very lucky to be in team with a lot of champions to learn off like Matera, Kemp, Jakovich, Worsfold, Mckenna. He would never have made it if he hadn't worked hard. Something for Collins and others to learn!

 

[TOOs_Finest]

When i say more valuable than the rest of your team i mean any single player.

Seeing as he brings leadership and on-field coaching on top of being in the top 5-10 playrs every week in performance i don't think there are other players of more value.

He's a great package deal.

Lol, we knew what you were saying, and we still say... Erm, No!

 

[tiggywigs]

Some strange revisiting of history on Cousins in this thread. Cousins was and is a champion footballer. And anybody who thinks who is just going to fade away is kidding themselves. He will bust a gut to have big end to the season - and would be a good a chance of another.

As for Collins, classic half-forward flanker if I ever saw one. Knows where the goals are and takes half a chance whenever it presents. Really like this lad.

 

[The Rusty Trombone]

I'm not anti Cousins , I wish he was in the form of his career. I've just stated he is slowing down considerably. As for Collins he is and is going to be a very solid player for the Tigers and like every one else Im certain Andy will have a fair better career than Bens with out the contraversy . . .

 

[Goldust]

I'm not anti Cousins , I wish he was in the form of his career. I've just stated he is slowing down considerably. As for Collins he is and is going to be a very solid player for the Tigers and like every one else Im certain Andy will have a fair better career than Bens with out the contraversy . . .

Seriously boss ... Collins is in his fourth year and if he has even half the career Cousins has had, Richmond will have done pretty well.
For starters, Cousins was the Norwich Rising Star in his first, at age 17. Collins was nowhere to be sighted in year one!
Cousins was All-Australian in his third year - and four times overall.
Was Collins All-Australian last year?
By year four Cousins was a finals player- again, will Collins be the key to our finals hopes in 2010?
Cousins is a three time best and fairest winner and Brownlow Medallist ... Collins?
Absurd statement, sir!! Collins ain't fit to tie Cousins' bootlaces!!!

 

[DM10]

I'm not anti Cousins , I wish he was in the form of his career. I've just stated he is slowing down considerably. As for Collins he is and is going to be a very solid player for the Tigers and like every one else Im certain Andy will have a fair better career than Bens with out the contraversy . . .

How can you wish for Ben to be in the form of his career? He's 32 at the end of his career. Of course he's slowing down! If Collins wants to have a better career than Ben he needs to move it along. This is what he has to achieve

Rising Star- Brownlow - MVP award- all australian x 6
West Coast club champion x 4 - Premiership.

 

[The Rusty Trombone]

Guys relax as I was taking the piss with the Andy , Cousins comparisons . Every time I pot a Richmond player on this board someone always replys " he's better than your boy friend Andy Collins"

Andy has light years to catch up to Ben I know. As for your question DM10 as to why I'd want Ben to be in the form of his career I think there is a very simple answer to that, because he plays for Richmond. Not probable especially as he is under done but I wish he was burning it up.

Has he got the capabilities of say Dustin Fletcher who is improving with age? That is exactly what this thread is about.

 

[Goldust]

I WOULDN'T say Fletcher is improving with age, more maintaining a high standard (though I have never rated him that highly as he has for the most part avoided playing on the big name forwards and been fortunate enough to find himself standing the lesser lights, but credit where due, he still beats who he has to).
But he is an exception .... as was Richo (as evidenced by his 2008 season)!!!
The greater majority - 95% of players or more - won't be as influential once into their 30s.
Akermanis has slowed considerably, and I think in comparison, Cousins is in better form than him.
Hall ain't the player he was, while Brad Johnson is an out and out star, but he ain't what he was five or even two years ago and has barely played this year.
Kirk at Sydney is pulling the pin and he hasn't been what he was the past two seasons, but still been very good.
McLeod ain't what he was either att he Crows, but still playing well enough.
It's the life of a footballer.
Cousins ain't what he was five years ago or even last year, but what he's producing is better than 90% on the list.

 

[mehow2g]

If your not happy send him back to us.

 

[ata33cro]

If your not happy send him back to us.

lol

We aren't sending him back. I am happy for him to stay at Richmond

 

[Dustin Credible]

Has he got the capabilities of say Dustin Fletcher who is improving with age? That is exactly what this thread is about.

Can Ben Cousins improve with age? In short no. He's attributes are heavily reliant on his physical attributes (e.g gut running) which will decline with time. He will not play like he did when he won the Brownlow.

But for me this is the wrong question. The question should be; Is 2010 Ben Cousins worth his spot in our side? To which my answer is yes, with regards to both his ability as an individual player (despite being in decline) and what he brings in terms of leadership and experience for the young players around him.

 

[captain blood 17]

If Cuzzy can keep improving as he finds fitness, then i don't see why we wouldn't have a HHF role ala Aker for him next year. But if he misses too much more football this year, then i would be very sad to say bye bye Ben.

 

[SA TIGER]

He was only on the ground 62% of game time and was very good. He makes tacklers miss, can break lines, sets up the midfield and got a lot of first hands on the ball getting handballs out cleanly while being tackled.

He's not what he was in 05/06 but he's more valuable than the rest of your team.

Not as valuable as Jarred Oakley Nichols in your team! Don't you reckon?

 

[Tribal]

Cousins has been great this year. He has only been average when returning from injury. I expect he will rock the boat this Sunday.

All he needs is a couple of games to get going as seen in 2009.

 

[ata33cro]

I think it's worth mentioning that Cousins did well today. Hopefully we'll see him continue playing some good football for us.

 

[DM10]

I think it's worth mentioning that Cousins did well today. Hopefully we'll see him continue playing some good football for us.

Not sure he was as good as the boy that Rusty loves! but it's important that he allows the young ones to shine. That he provides the blocks/ shepherds and links up to allow the young ones to run and carry. Just does the team stuff and not be concerned about his stats or glory!

 

[ata33cro]

DM10, that's spot on - Cousins is helping out the young kids. He is doing his job - and we know he isn't playing for himself.

 

[Kyusss]

Like a champion has now changed his game to allow the development of others and is still playing like a gun, When fit can go into the midfield and get his 30 touches and everyone can cheer but is doing the team thing and tackling chasing blocking and getting his 15-20 on the flanks and wings , uses the ball well is still a gun ! keeps going this way he will be there 2011

 

[Ando_4]

Hope he's teaching them all he knows because next year would be one too long.

 

[ata33cro]

Again, Cousins was one of our top players last night.

Now what we will the media critics say about him. (time to retire?)

Did anyone see his interview with Leigh Colbert last night? I get the impression he would love to play on next season (depending on his body)

 

[darcytiger]

I just got home from Brisbane, just watched the replay. I was absolutely loving Ben Cousins post match, just looked like he was really loving life. Really good interview with Colbert as well. Seems like he is really enjoying be a part of something.

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face watching all the boys celebrate after the game together.

 

[mcuzzy]

27 touches, 5 marks and a goal as well as on field coaching, experience and leadership.

give it up cuz, you have been shit for us!

 

[The Rusty Trombone]

Awsome game. Loved it. Still a little old and slow but working his nuts off. Easily his best game this year.