Cousins a possibility

[Merv]

"He is off our radar, not because of his illness, we just wouldn't recruit a 30-year-old," Horsburgh said.

Maybe could replace Ray as Chairman?

 

[Burzum]

Why did he say that?...

Because his age would clash with Knight's youth policy. He flat out said "It's because he's too old!"...

What has Knights considered?...

Stepping outside his youth policy... "If the right person is there, I'll consider it."...

As far as I'm concerned, whether or not Cousin's is picked up, this does raise a few questions when it comes to what we all assume is set in stone...

I can understand why you're frustrated RIG, you never wanted Cousins anyway.

Quite the opposite actually. He's one of my favourite players ever and I was really hoping we'd pick him but I know that it's not realistic anymore since the club hasn't shown much interest and the Chairman ruling it out.

I hope like hell we pick him, but I really don't think we will even entertain the option.

 

[Merv]

make him president of the social club

Should be a pretty good vibe at the functions, which will then be held on a nightly basis

 

[Burzum]

RIG,

Why would the chairman be making that call when really it is totally up to the coaching staff to make the call?

Just a question here mate. Not meaning to upset you further

I have no idea. I'm not upset about it at all, I hope the club will draft him.

 

[Spikey]

Should be a pretty good vibe at the functions, which will then be held on a nightly basis

Ahem, get back on-topic young man.

 

[Kong]

Start carding people. It's been said enough times we're not picking him. Should mean people start to get the message....

and while we're at it, card people ruining threads with that 'metal arm' rubbish

 

[Merv]

RIG,

Why would the chairman be making that call when really it is totally up to the coaching staff to make the call?

Just a question here mate. Not meaning to upset you further

Suzi a matter as serious as drafting Cousins would have been debated at board level as well as in the football department.

I would also guess the board would have the final say in a case such as this.

 

[Call Me Cake]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24667180-5016140,00.html

"He is off our radar, not because of his illness, we just wouldn't recruit a 30-year-old," Horsburgh said.

"But Matthew Knights wouldn't recruit a 30-year-old whether it be Ben Cousins or Joe Blow or John Coleman reincarnated."

That was on November 18. Horsburgh was commenting on behalf of Knights himself.

What has Knights said today?

He is considering experienced, mature players, anyone who seems to fit in the playing group. His stance has changed, so therefore, who is to say it's wrong to assume the view on Cousins' age has changed too?...

AFIAK, today's report contradicts the one from a month ago. Just my opinion.

 

[Merv]

"He is off our radar, not because of his illness, we just wouldn't recruit a 30-year-old," Horsburgh said.

"But Matthew Knights wouldn't recruit a 30-year-old whether it be Ben Cousins or Joe Blow or John Coleman reincarnated."

That was on November 18. Horsburgh was commenting on behalf of Knights himself.

What has Knights said today?

He is considering experienced, mature players. His stance has changed, so therefore, who is to say it isn't wrong to assume the initial opinion on recruiting Cousins has changed too?...

AFIAK, today's report contradicts the one from a month ago.

You are confusing 30 year olds and mature players.

A 25 year old is also a mature player. Skipworth is both mature and experienced.

IMO, the whole age thing is just a politically correct way of saying we don't want him anywhere near our club

 

[Enki]

IMO, the whole age thing is just a politically correct way of saying we don't want him anywhere near our club

Agreed. People need to consider that the age excuse is just a polite way to say we are not interested. We could come out and say that we consider him too risky but that wouldn't be the best move for the club and would hurt Cousins' effort to play again.

St. Kilda used the same excuse, the only difference is we do have a policy mainly geared towards youth, so unlike them we don't look so transparent when we use that line.

 

[Spikey]

and while we're at it, card people ruining threads with that 'metal arm' rubbish

Sssshhh, you're not supposed to say those words on the main board. Not as if we're ruining any threads in The Hanger anyway....

 

[Call Me Cake]

You are confusing 30 year olds and mature players.

A 25 year old is also a mature player. Skipworth is both mature and experienced.

IMO, the whole age thing is just a politically correct way of saying we don't want him anywhere near our club

Fair enough... I respect your opinion.

However, I still disagree.

Doesn't it seem possible that Knights may be saying all of this, as a way of picking Cousins up without looking like he's contradicting himself too much?

He may have hinted at "experience" over "age" as a way of reeling Cousins in without his initial view coming to bite him on the arse.

I Just think it's an awkward turn-around, is all.

 

[Kong]

cousins will not be drafted by us.

 

[stay true]

I'll be extremely surprised if we pick up Cousins.

I'll also eat my hat.

 

[carntheroos4eva]

I have no idea. I'm not upset about it at all, I hope the club will draft him.

I wouldn't mind if the bombers picked him up. But I wouldn't know if Knights would be able to handle him because don't forget Ben Cousins is still to recover from his illness.

 

[carntheroos4eva]

You are confusing 30 year olds and mature players.

A 25 year old is also a mature player. Skipworth is both mature and experienced.

IMO, the whole age thing is just a politically correct way of saying we don't want him anywhere near our club

Merv,

That would be the article doing all of that mate. As what call me cake says it was a contradiction from the first article because the 2nd one said the exact opposite.

 

[dons_fan185]

all this media attention and the possiblities and rumours that are churned out more or less daily leading up to the PSD cannot be good for his 'health'. If he doesn't get picked up next week (which i think by all respectable accounts is likely) then I'd be seriously worried about a major relapse and that anyday between now and the New Year someone will find him dead from an overdose.

He's a very troubled guy and his only outlet looks like its going to shun him. building his hopes up like this isn't going to make his life after AFL better.

 

[Bordy]

Yeah...

Or it could be the fact that our Chairman straight out said we will not pick up him.

Is that the guy that said "We did not discuss Kevin Sheedy tonight"

 

[Lance Uppercut]

He's a very troubled guy

cocaine is a hell of a drug

 

[bomber39]

The reasons FOR picking him up FAR outweigh reasons not too!

Understandable we dont instil a bad culture as ess, but trust me, over the past few years we have had a few on our list just as bad as Benny!

They just werent good players luckily or it could have been exposed!

Not saying that i know this for sure, just speculating so could be completely wrong.

 

[Skeeta Olly]

The reasons FOR picking him up FAR outweigh reasons not too!

Understandable we dont instil a bad culture as ess, but trust me, over the past few years we have had a few on our list just as bad as Benny!

They just werent good players luckily or it could have been exposed!

Not saying that i know this for sure, just speculating so could be completely wrong.

I find it much the opposite. Ben Cousins is an epic risk. The reputation of the club would be on the line, not to mention, the effect it will have on the club from many other views.

 

[Mr Mosquito]

It seems odd to me, that we have relaxed the youth policy and would consider a player like Skipworth who would offer less to use in 5 years that cousins will in 3 years. To me if u relax the policy then you are looking at the best player available with what you have to choose from, and to me.....thats Ben Cousins.

Cousins is an acceptable risk....either we choose Skipworth who plays no senior footy or we choose cuz who will play plenty. He will not be allowed to relapse, the club will have the strictest of boundaries on him. If he does relapse he will test positive no more than a week later and be gone from AFL for good, which he obviously doesnt want

 

[LukeParkerno1]

He is not an acceptable risk. I will ask you this:

Can you 100% GUARANTEE he will not re-offend?

If your answer is NO or PROBABLY NOT, then the risk is too high. Cousins is bad news for EFC, and it is probably good we won't draft him

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Do we have pick 3 in the psd? Thought freo and port filled their lists??

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Port have not (likely to pick up Josh Carr). West Coast have finished their list assuming there is no further delistments