Ben to another club...??

[neverwas57]

It would hurt 10 times more to see Cus running around for someone else then Judd. I think the Eagles did the right thing, but how can it be fair on us if the AFL let him go somewhere else for no compensation, when we were simply following the guidelines set out to us.

TOUGH!!!!

You made your own guidelines up and have fallen own your own sword,i'm not saying the West Coast board didn't act in the best interests of your club but just reacted to hastily.

And to every other person who judged/criticised him before the truth came out you are going to get what you deserve...

The West Aust police are mostly to blame followed a close second by your club then the media i hope he wins a brownlow elsewhere next year and/or plays in a premiership team

I wont be alone in my opinion!

 

[Makka]

TOUGH!!!!

You made your own guidelines up and have fallen own your own sword,i'm not saying the West Coast board didn't act in the best interests of your club but just reacted to hastily.

And to every other person who judged/criticised him before the truth came out you are going to get what you deserve...

The West Aust police are mostly to blame followed a close second by your club then the media i hope he wins a brownlow elsewhere next year and/or plays in a premiership team

I wont be alone in my opinion!

And if we didn't take the action we did then you'd probably be one of those bagging us for being soft and sweeping it under the carpet again!

 

[williaer]

Let's pose this question though. What if the AFL are hell bent on imposing sanctions, particularly removal of draft picks, even though the Eagles have sacked Cousins?

Wouldn't it be smarter to reinstate Cousins and keep him on the list rather than let him go for nothing. Even if he doesn't get played next year. I'm talking if the AFL are going to take draft picks anyway, which is what the media seem to be demanding. You're just cutting off your nose to spite the face.

Yeah that's the problem, ain't it?? I don't think it's fair for the AFL to take away our draft picks or fine us squillions of dollars when we didn't do anything wrong. They shouldn't punish us for Ben's silly behaviour. However, if they were to start imposing sanctions on us, I highly doubt bringing Ben back would do any good to that. Anyway, whether dropping Cousins was a good idea or not... I think it'd be a bad sight for the club to bring him back. They've made a tough decision and need to stick by it. Even if that means letting go of Benny for free (which, to me, is just stupid).

Fingers crossed this situation smooths itself out without any lawsuits or the taking of draft picks/banning of Ben from playing ever again.

 

[neverwas57]

And if we didn't take the action we did then you'd probably be one of those bagging us for being soft and sweeping it under the carpet again!

No not at all Ben made his choices as did the club and if you check my responses in other threads i said all along there was more to his arrest than was being told seems i was right, again it may have been the best action for your club but they should have put more thought into it....

Now not only have they lost one of the best players to play the game all his issues aside and get nothing in return for him.

There are too many past players to mention who have been traded for picks or more for there on and off field discretions,the reason behind my comments.

 

[wce4premiership]

It will be wrong, the eagles are gimps and pansies, however they remain my favourite club. Wherever ben goes he'll still be my favourite player until he retires.

 

[WCgirl]

Makka; I completely agree!! As I said in my earlier post... I think it'll be really sucky if we, who were put in the position to sack him, have to let him go for nothing.
I just have nothing against Ben for hoping to play for another club.

See, I just can't help but be angry at him for this. It is because I had this image of him -and I've had this image the entire time I've been a West Coast supporter -that Ben bleeds blue and gold. That we would be the one and only team he would play for in his AFL career and he would always be considered a West Coast player long after he retired. He was one huge part of the soul of this club, but he doesn't seem to recognise this himself. He just dismisses the fact that this club that has supported him and had so much faith in him and respect for him over 11 years just dumped him. He couldn't care less and is ready and raring to move on to another club -and now this image I had of him has been shattered.

 

[Isandula]

thatd be right when things get tough.. take easy option out.. look at the struggling clubs over last few years.. with lack of players.. alwyas behind there team..
are u suggesting no cousins no w.coast

I'd say you had a tough time spelling here and whats with all the extra fullstops??

 

[OLDEP]

See, I just can't help but be angry at him for this. It is because I had this image of him -and I've had this image the entire time I've been a West Coast supporter -that Ben bleeds blue and gold. That we would be the one and only team he would play for in his AFL career and he would always be considered a West Coast player long after he retired. He was one huge part of the soul of this club, but he doesn't seem to recognise this himself. He just dismisses the fact that this club that has supported him and had so much faith in him and respect for him over 11 years just dumped him. He couldn't care less and is ready and raring to move on to another club -and now this image I had of him has been shattered.

Think of it the other way. Ben has been committed to them for 11 years, wanted to be an eagle to the end, had so much respect for the eagles club for backing up its players, and has just been kicked out the door like they don't care. The club is soulless, ungrateful and for lack of a better word, a pansy.

 

[Biggie]

thatd be right when things get tough.. take easy option out.. look at the struggling clubs over last few years.. with lack of players.. alwyas behind there team..
are u suggesting no cousins no w.coast

Not at all.

Its been a tough year off field.

2 Brownlow medallists gone in 3 weeks of each other.

Thanks for taking the time to point out absolutely nothing.

 

[Keys]

Think of it the other way. Ben has been committed to them for 11 years, wanted to be an eagle to the end, had so much respect for the eagles club for backing up its players, and has just been kicked out the door like they don't care. The club is soulless, ungrateful and for lack of a better word, a pansy.

I'm sorry, but I just can't agree with this.

On field no one could ever question his commitment to the club. He was a fantastic player for us and never ever gave up.

For this reason the club stayed loyal to him for longer than they perhaps should have. In the finish though his behaviour left the club with no other option than to sever ties with him - had he truly cared for the club he wouldn't have carried on like he did - only a complete moron would be unaware that his actions were bringing pressure onto the club.

I say all this based on my opinion, and that is all it is, that there were other reasons than just his botched arrest for the club sacking him.

 

[WCgirl]

I'm sorry, but I just can't agree with this.

On field no one could ever question his commitment to the club. He was a fantastic player for us and never ever gave up.

For this reason the club stayed loyal to him for longer than they perhaps should have. In the finish though his behaviour left the club with no other option than to sever ties with him - had he truly cared for the club he wouldn't have carried on like he did - only a complete moron would be unaware that his actions were bringing pressure onto the club.

What he said

I dont feel the club made the wrong decision in any sense. Ben bought this upon himself, if he really "wanted to be an eagles player to the end" he would have stopped carrying on like a ******** and pulled himself together. Instead he chose to drive around in a sponsors car with un-perscribed perscription drugs and a couple of strippers. Why had he not already returned to rehab?! If he cared at all he would be keeping a very, very low profile. And if he really really gave a sh*t about us, when we booted him he would have showed just the slightest hint of sadness/regret instead of walking about with a grin on his face acting like a ****ing rockstar.

 

[bali-dog]

have to agree keyser-classic film by the way-ben+the club sat down and agreed to a new set of rules,he knew the risk..he didnt lay low, still going to clubland etc, which puts you in the firing line..sheesh,even ive stayed away from clubland up here for 5 months..and believe me,thats not easy to do! :>) ...but thats what he had to do!!! its unfortunate how it panned out, but he put himself in that situation after how many warnings? get a home delivery stripper,pizza,rent a party crew,have a valium, have a viagra, just dont take your love to town!!?

but for the AFL to let him back in and play for another club,when we get nothing for arguably one of the games all time greats,is absolute hypocrisy+almost corrupted..even if its under the banner of being good for Ben!!..it couldnt have been planned better, if they let him back in,whoever planned it,its absolutely brilliant,very clever..not another vic conspiracy theory?

 

[shoe]

TOUGH!!!!

You made your own guidelines up and have fallen own your own sword,i'm not saying the West Coast board didn't act in the best interests of your club but just reacted to hastily.

And to every other person who judged/criticised him before the truth came out you are going to get what you deserve...

The West Aust police are mostly to blame followed a close second by your club then the media i hope he wins a brownlow elsewhere next year and/or plays in a premiership team

I wont be alone in my opinion!

Hey, what?
Short memory or have you forgotten that we were forced to put these measures in place or otherwise we were being threatened with sanctions...

The police honestly can't take most of the blame. They are to blame for the wrong charge, but honestly the person to blame is Ben Cousins. If you believe everything you read on BF then you likely believe the cops in this city conduct stings like that just because they're bored. Sorry, but that's bullshit. Even if Cuz wasn't involved in whatever dodgy shit the other passengers in the car were doing/had just done, the point is he was obviously around it. Odds are that he had done something worthy of the police attention.

 

[neverwas57]

Hey, what?
Short memory or have you forgotten that we were forced to put these measures in place or otherwise we were being threatened with sanctions...

The police honestly can't take most of the blame. They are to blame for the wrong charge, but honestly the person to blame is Ben Cousins. If you believe everything you read on BF then you likely believe the cops in this city conduct stings like that just because they're bored. Sorry, but that's bullshit. Even if Cuz wasn't involved in whatever dodgy shit the other passengers in the car were doing/had just done, the point is he was obviously around it. Odds are that he had done something worthy of the police attention.

Forced or not there was such haste with the decision to sack him you may very well pay the ultimate price the loss of Cousins and nothing for his ample talent.
Being around it mat not have been his choice or did he even know about it ,again you as with most involved with your club and others jumping the gun
And driving eraticaly ,if that was the only reasoning for him being pulled over they absolutely deserve most of the blame,there was no doubt he was targeted proof of that is in
1. no charges for eratic driving
2. all charges being false then dropped
3 .The way the police treated Ben, the 2 hours on the side of the road, positioning of him while he was searched need i go on.
There is no secret of the poor conduct of them at times.
Ben is partly to blame for putting himself in this position i agree but if he isnt charged who looks the fools.

 

[WCgirl]

Forced or not there was such haste with the decision to sack him you may very well pay the ultimate price the loss of Cousins and nothing for his ample talent.
Being around it mat not have been his choice or did he even know about it ,again you as with most involved with your club and others jumping the gun
And driving eraticaly ,if that was the only reasoning for him being pulled over they absolutely deserve most of the blame,there was no doubt he was targeted proof of that is in
1. no charges for eratic driving
2. all charges being false then dropped
3 .The way the police treated Ben, the 2 hours on the side of the road, positioning of him while he was searched need i go on.
There is no secret of the poor conduct of them at times.
Ben is partly to blame for putting himself in this position i agree but if he isnt charged who looks the fools.

No, the charge of not co-operating with the police still remains. That in itself is enough reason for him to be dropped. If Cousins hadn't repeatedly acted like a fool over a number of years and got himself into so much trouble -where it was at the point he had to have a strict contract to keep him in line - then this would never have happened. After all that has happened with him and under so much pressure from the public and the AFL, they had no choice but to sack him. Ben put himself in this situation, so don't victimise him and make West Coast look like the big baddies

 

[hoogs]

Cameron Schwabb just said on Freo Raido that the Dockers would make a proposal to the afl, in which they would be allowed to pick Cousins with strict daily blood testing and no second chance conditions. There would also be a major focus on his rehabilitation.

I say go for it. Win-win situation. If he can break away from the culture that he has been a part of for the past 11 or so years and successfully kick his addiction, then we will have a great player for nothing. If he messes up, we can say we tried.

 

[Biggie]

So staying in the same state would be the answer hoogs?

The "culture" would just stay here and not follow him over the river?

actually more like

 

[hoogs]

So staying in the same state would be the answer hoogs?

The "culture" would just stay here and not follow him over the river?

actually more like

He would have his family here. Better than going to St.Kilda and having Gardiner running around with him.

 

[Magnificence]

Ben u are welcome at Carlton

 

[Biggie]

He would have his family here. Better than going to St.Kilda and having Gardiner running around with him.

Venture onto the St.Kilda Board.

Quite a write up on Gardiner being "highly respected" by his peers and on the right out of the limelight.

Talking up thier prospects this year for sure.

Me, I think Ben needs out stay out of the country for longer than 16 weeks.

A move down the road wouldnt cut it me thinks.

But with all sincerity, good luck with him if that be the case.

 

[Cheetah]

Gee it's a tough one, which club wouldn't want a fully recovered Ben Cousins in their line-up?

But to think he would be able to play football next year would be premature. His health is the most important issue right now and I hope he can make a full recovery beat his personal demons.

You can see why your club acted, if he hasn't got this thing beat. They would be worried about his influence over impressionable young kids at the club who grew up idolising him.

 

[shoe]

Forced or not there was such haste with the decision to sack him you may very well pay the ultimate price the loss of Cousins and nothing for his ample talent.
Being around it mat not have been his choice or did he even know about it ,again you as with most involved with your club and others jumping the gun
And driving eraticaly ,if that was the only reasoning for him being pulled over they absolutely deserve most of the blame,there was no doubt he was targeted proof of that is in
1. no charges for eratic driving
2. all charges being false then dropped
3 .The way the police treated Ben, the 2 hours on the side of the road, positioning of him while he was searched need i go on.
There is no secret of the poor conduct of them at times.
Ben is partly to blame for putting himself in this position i agree but if he isnt charged who looks the fools.

Get stuffed. If I (or any WCE supporter) had written that it "might not have been Benny's choice to be involved", we'd be told that our heads were deep in the sand. He is a grown man for god's sake, not to mention he wouldn't be naive about that dodgy shit because he's been around it before.
Not to mention the other parts of your post are just wrong - it was only one charge dropped and correct me if i'm wrong but I think what the police did to him was fairly standard procedures..
Cousins is not the victim here.

 

[alinghi]

Would hate to see Benny play for another club.

Period.

 

[neverwas57]

No, the charge of not co-operating with the police still remains. That in itself is enough reason for him to be dropped. If Cousins hadn't repeatedly acted like a fool over a number of years and got himself into so much trouble -where it was at the point he had to have a strict contract to keep him in line - then this would never have happened. After all that has happened with him and under so much pressure from the public and the AFL, they had no choice but to sack him. Ben put himself in this situation, so don't victimise him and make West Coast look like the big baddies

Maybe he felt he was treated unfairly,I was once pulled over here in Melb and had my car torn apart by the police looking for illegal substances an hour on the side of the road then they asked me to put my car back together and follow them to the station for questioning ,turns out it was mistaken identity but i know i was less than helpful as they treated me like a criminal.
He was pursued by the police ,and as it turns out for nothing ,no wonder he was less than helpful
Yopu all keep coming back to what Bens contract said and his guidelines etc as far as i'm concerned he did nothing that anyone else would have done in his position.
West coast supporters now only care about what you will lose from sacking him.
I said before Tough!!!!

 

[WCgirl]

Cameron Schwabb just said on Freo Raido that the Dockers would make a proposal to the afl, in which they would be allowed to pick Cousins with strict daily blood testing and no second chance conditions. There would also be a major focus on his rehabilitation.

I say go for it. Win-win situation. If he can break away from the culture that he has been a part of for the past 11 or so years and successfully kick his addiction, then we will have a great player for nothing. If he messes up, we can say we tried.

Mate, he is the culture.

Or 95 % of it