Ben Cousins - Mistake or Not

[Rohan Coventry]

And events of 18 years ago are relevant today?

I can go back to 06, given it's more relevant on your time frame.

With all he gangland associates, Cousins was one of the 3 players that drove his side to a flag.

Your 'inept' club has seriously threatened GF action for the last 2 years. .

We didn't threaten any GF action in 08. Miles off Hawthorn even if we did happen to beat St. Kilda..

Near enough isn't good enough.

 

[Dave The Man]

He's Not Coming so.....


WHO CARES NOW

 

[Pie eyed]

It's more courageous not to draft him, knowing clubs don't have to give much to acquire his services, and considering what a talent he is.

Would a company hire a worker if they knew he was into recreational drugs and not quite cured of his problem?

The media gets on Didak's back without the guy breaking a single law of the land. Could you imagine what hysteria they would create if Cousins wore our colours?

I think we made the right decision in not pursuing him although without his baggage he would've been a great addition to our stocks.

Agree.
To say no was the harder choice.
I don't doubt that it was a tough decision and that even now the Club has reservations. I personally would have liked to see Cousins in Black and White but I trust that the club has valid reasons which no doubt made the difficult decision to say no necessary and prudent.

We are certainly not in isolation having decided against Cousins.

 

[M-Train]

I would've said it was a mistake before the National Draft, but after witnessing our strategy, it'd be a mistake to draft him now. We picked up a number of quality young midfielders, and Cousins would simply flaw the development of a number of those young mids. I'd rather have Beams, Sidebottom and Stanley having a go, as 4th or 5th midfielders than Cousins as our 1st, with those types in the reserves.

So I voted No.

Can't agree!

It would provide Beams, Sidebottom, Thomas, Rounds, Cook, Stanley, Pendlebury and Co. with INVALUABLE experience.

I would think that training and playing with a player of Ben Cousins caliber would make the group at least 1% better.

 

[the mighty T]

I would've said it was a mistake before the National Draft, but after witnessing our strategy, it'd be a mistake to draft him now. We picked up a number of quality young midfielders, and Cousins would simply flaw the development of a number of those young mids. I'd rather have Beams, Sidebottom and Stanley having a go, as 4th or 5th midfielders than Cousins as our 1st, with those types in the reserves.

So I voted No.

disagree Pielebo...we lack a class modfielder, and if we want to be any chance of a premiership we need one
sure the kids could develop into those players...but how long?
however youve got a ready made superstar, club champion and brownlow medalist that wanted to play for us...
from an on field perspective, mistake...and the fact is, as a supporter i want to see my team succeed and ben cousins could definately help that

 

[mattys123]

disagree Pielebo...we lack a class modfielder, and if we want to be any chance of a premiership we need one
sure the kids could develop into those players...but how long?
however youve got a ready made superstar, club champion and brownlow medalist that wanted to play for us...
from an on field perspective, mistake...and the fact is, as a supporter i want to see my team succeed and ben cousins could definately help that

We lack a class midfielder is the stupidest comment ive heard in ages, DANE SWAN.

The bloke this year developed into one of the most consistent and potent midfielders in the league, and you can add his absolute league leading endurance to that.

I'll throw a couple of more class midfielders into that, Didak (was leading league in kicks b4 the suspension) and a bloke named Pendlebury, who for 2 years now has helped Swan and Didak carry that midfield.

Hawthorn had one, yes thats right, one class midfielder, and they won a flag.

Our midfield is not our problem, our defence is clearly our major problem, just look at every time we were beaten by a large margin, or by a poor team, our backline got thumped.

And is Ben Cousins gonna help that backline, not one friggin iota.

We and 14 other clubs have, and will be proven to, made the right decision, let's all move on and concentrate on Sidebottom and the future of our midfield, because with our backline problems, even with cousins we would not be premiership contenders this year, and Cousins would be 32 by the time we are ready.

 

[Optimax]

we made no mistake

 

[PieLebo87]

Can't agree!

It would provide Beams, Sidebottom, Thomas, Rounds, Cook, Stanley, Pendlebury and Co. with INVALUABLE experience.

I would think that training and playing with a player of Ben Cousins caliber would make the group at least 1% better.

Why is there that automatic assumption that having Cousins will provide invaluable experience? How do you guys know he wouldn't be some introverted person who hates talking to his teammates about irrelevent things?

Tell me, with Buckley around, how many star midfielders did we develop? ZILCH! Why? Because its not about having the stars providing 'invaluable experience', its about having the stars that are actually developing.

I've got no doubt that if these kids need to learn something, they can't just call up Bucks and get some advice from him, I'm sure Burns is still available to give points, I'm certain that Paul Licuria's presence around the club is still very useful to people like Stanley and Beams. Why is it specifically Cousins thats important? He has been out of the game for over 18 months! How much can he possibly teach people like Stanley and Pendlebury who have had the best coach and best midfielding captain in the AFL in that same period of time?

As I said before, its not about getting the experience from off-field advice, because they'll be getting that from Licuria, from Burns, from Buckley ect. Whats more important is they get the on-field experience by actually EXPERIENCING AFL football. Thats the most invaluable experience for a young midfielder. We breed champions at Collingwood, we don't need to bring them whilst they're at the tail-end of their careers.

disagree Pielebo...we lack a class modfielder, and if we want to be any chance of a premiership we need one
sure the kids could develop into those players...but how long?
however youve got a ready made superstar, club champion and brownlow medalist that wanted to play for us...
from an on field perspective, mistake...and the fact is, as a supporter i want to see my team succeed and ben cousins could definately help that

How can you be sure he would definitely do that? What makes you think we'd be getting a superstar, club champion and Brownlow medalist? Have you ever thought that maybe the reason why Brisbane, Collingwood, St Kilda and 12 other clubs said no is because maybe they don't believe he can be what he once was? Or/And perhaps theres that enormous risk that he tarnishes the Collingwood brand?

Trust the clubs judgement. Upon reading the AFL website on the 29th of November, I quickly forgot the name Ben Cousins, and for good reason, you'll see why in due course.

 

[1970]

"Ben, they crucified you just like Christ"

He will rise again and be seated at the right hand of the father.

Amen.

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

With all he gangland associates, Cousins was one of the 3 players that drove his side to a flag.

It's a very long bow you're drawing - that was obviously West Coast turning a blind eye, not Collingwood. I thought your argument was about Collingwood having double-standards?

We didn't threaten any GF action in 08. Miles off Hawthorn even if we did happen to beat St. Kilda.. Near enough isn't good enough.

Yeah thanks Captain Obvious

 

[a_fighting_fury]

When has Cousins gone out before a cut throat game, had a bender, robbed his club of 2 of their most talented players & associated with convicted murderors during the season such as Didak?

Either way, Cousins will have a better season than Didak in 09.

Good point RC, but we also have to remember that these guys are very young and that they will make questionable choices/decisions. Cousins, Didak, Fev, etc arent the first and wont be the last.

Footy clubs and the AFL would do well to help them through periods such as this rather than shut them out or put them into a too-hard basket.

I commend ANY club that reaches out to help Ben and any other player that has been ostracized, especially by the media.

 

[Snag Breac]

And events of 18 years ago are relevant today? Uh-uh.

Your 'inept' club has seriously threatened GF action for the last 2 years. You can blow your negative, bitter, irrelevant P.O.V right out yer arse.

Nor being without sin, I won't cast the first stone for such uncharacteristic heat, RRRoooccaaa, but who was the Pies gangster?

 

[Optimax]

Nor being without sin, I won't cast the first stone for such uncharacteristic heat, RRRoooccaaa, but who was the Pies gangster?

Didak of late

in 1990 milane, mcguane, well many of the team had some strange pass times. Milane, christian and kelly once drunkly stole a bus.

And as has been pointed out to me we turned blind eye back then boys will be boys and milane tragically killed himself. Cousins deserved his punishment and should pay accordingly if his nose still isnt clean in the business so to speak rules shouldnt be bent so sheedy can get his rocks off rescuing a lost boy

 

[craizy4daisy]

True.

I'm just not over the fact that we decided against it.

Allegedly he's going to sue us (the pies) apparently there was some sort of contract he'd struck up with us.

Anyone hear this?

Yer i heard about that from my mate last week.

 

[Barnzy123]

Admit it now that Richmond is likely to pick him up to complete a midfield with a depth similar to Geelong you guys are shaking in your boots. The mentality with Cousins it seems is if no one picks him up no one cares but if someone does everyone instantly cares and trys to put a stop to it. For example your stupid fat president. He does this cause he knows if Cousins stays on the straight and narrow he will dominate and he realises Collingwood's midfield is a piece of shit.

 

[rotten pie]

Would have been nice to have another class midfielder ala Buckley back in the team, his kicking, speed (if his hamstrings held up), toughness and nouse around the bottom of a pack would have been great. But the media jump on any story, good or bad, with the pies name in it and do it to death. The last thing Collingwood needed was a Ben on a bender, we'd still be hearing about it in 2020. And lets not forget Ben was supposed to be the last person to see Chris Mainwearing before his overdose. Anyway good luck to Ben in the future be it football or just life in general.

 

[The Dawes]

Definitely it's a "who cares?" for me.

Well and truly over the whole Ben Cousins saga.

Let's all just move on.

 

[SteeleAt11]

Admit it now that Richmond is likely to pick him up to complete a midfield with a depth similar to Geelong you guys are shaking in your boots.

You might want to try making the finals for the 1st time this millenium before drawing similarities with Geelong

But I'm sure a 30 year old ice addict with shot hammys is just what you need to round you out

 

[tess]

Good point RC, but we also have to remember that these guys are very young and that they will make questionable choices/decisions. Cousins, Didak, Fev, etc arent the first and wont be the last.

Footy clubs and the AFL would do well to help them through periods such as this rather than shut them out or put them into a too-hard basket.

I commend ANY club that reaches out to help Ben and any other player that has been ostracized, especially by the media.

I hope Richmond get Cousins it will be almost as enjoyable watching them implode as it would have been if S Blunda had got him.


*bbs gotta head out to stock up on Gin for this show*

 

[Rohan Coventry]

I commend ANY club that reaches out to help Ben and any other player that has been ostracized, especially by the media.

Same.

The easy option would have been not to take Cous. Placing a potential sponsorship over a person, who has transgressed, is a brillant footballer & is seeking redemption.

Sheedy has been the person behind Richmond taking Cous. He is an excellent judge of character & is obviously Cous is serious about making it back.

We are a weak club for not taking him.

 

[shawthing09]

If he is drafted I think he be banned for life by July 2009.

I will give you 20to one odds that if he is draft he won't be banned for life at all? Willing to place a bet?

 

[Optimax]

First off Thomas is no way as good as any of the players I listed, maybe close to White. Whos McCarthy? lol.. Shaw is always suspended so forget about him and once he gets hit by a tagger he averages 2 posessions. Didak is needed more in the foward line as your foward line is very average and Davis has no consistency. Only decent claim you got is Pendelbury.

Good game, sir.

Ahem

Clarke
GM 22
11.4 kicks, 5.6 handpasses, 4.9 marks, 0.4 goals
Best games: 28 disposals against geelong, 3 other game sover 20 touches.

Davis
GM 22
13.7 kicks, 3.9 handpasses, 4.6 marks and 1.4 goals
best games; 28 disposals versus port adelaide round 20 9 games over 20 touches as well

Didak
GM 18
18.8 kicks 4.3 handpasses, 5.7 marks, 1.3 goals
best games: 28 disposals versus hawthorn and 28 disposals versus sydney and against west coast and 29 versus north melbourne

McCarthy
Gm 6 (career 6 games inc 2 finals)
8 kicks, 4.8 handpasses 5 marks 0.5 goals
Best games: 14 versus st.kilda (debut)

Pendlebury
Gm 23
12.3 kicks, 10.2 handpasses, 4.9 marks, 0.5 goals
best games: 28 disposals versus sydney and bulldogs, 33 disposals against essedon
Swan
GM 24
15.3 kicks, 9.2 handpasses, 6.8 marks, 0.9 goals

Thomas
GM 22
9.8 kicks, 5.9 handpasses, 5.9 marks, 1 goal
best games: 22 touches versus st.kilda, 2 other games over 2 touches oh and 17 disposals versus richmond

Shaw:
GM 18
13.7 kicks, 6.6 handpasses, 6.9 marks
best games: 34 disposals against hawthorn, 31 tocuhes against the bulldogs, 25 touches against hawthorn, 27 against carlton, 33 disposals against richmond

Wellingham
GM 12 (as a rookie)
6.7 kicks, 7 handpasses, 3.4 marks, 0.3 goals
best game; 19 disposals versus geelong

Anything else you want explained?

 

[tess]

I will give you 20to one odds that if he is draft he won't be banned for life at all? Willing to place a bet?

OK I'll be in but Nothing silly .....
I'm a poor pensioner these days young man ....

 

[shawthing09]

You might want to try making the finals for the 1st time this millenium before drawing similarities with Geelong

But I'm sure a 30 year old ice addict with shot hammys is just what you need to round you out

Adding a player of Cousin's calabre to Richmond, if he stays on the park injury wise will help them to no end.

 

[shawthing09]

OK I'll be in but Nothing silly .....
I'm a poor pensioner these days young man ....

That's cool.