Cuz

[CoggaRules]

If this guy goes our kids will lose their way atm. Damien knows that he is the coach, but he has his general on the front lines, issuing the instructions by example, during the game and after the final siren.
BTW, i dont watch the rotations all to often, but how much time did Cuz spend on the ground yesterday? To me it seemed like he was out there forever.

 

[Byron2008]

You guys would be stupid to get rid of him now...
From everything I've heard both externally and a bit from a few mates around who know a few of the Richmond fellas personally, he is amazing for the young fellas..He is super supportive and can also grill the sH%t outta them like them like few could.

Coaching aside, his ball use is still amazing. He may not get 35 touches, but I'm pretty sure his effectiveness would be way way up there. That game in the wet against Port, he had like 85% efficiency (the highest from both teams) in shocking conditions and set up a plethora of goals and scoring shots.

 

[Kyusss]

His an elite runner still to this day im not sure why the rotations would be such a drastic point of the desicion , the facts are his too good too not be on our list and our list isnt good enough to delist players like him
he does too much and is too good , the kids love him and must get another year no matter what

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I know Cuz is not at West Coast and things have happened in his career but if he was at West Coast I think he would play for 2-3 more years as Harvey did at the Saints.

He is still clearly in Richmonds best 2-3 players, I understand he is not the same as he was when he was 26 but he still is very good.

I really hope Richmond make a football decision and keep him playing, 1 year contracts are great but I seriously believe he could play for another 2 years.

Either way you guys have been great to Cuz and he is rewarding that which is good for all.
Really rapt for you supporters with how your club is progressing, very exciting for you guys. Keep it up.

 

[CoggaRules]

I know Cuz is not at West Coast and things have happened in his career but if he was at West Coast I think he would play for 2-3 more years as Harvey did at the Saints.

He is still clearly in Richmonds best 2-3 players, I understand he is not the same as he was when he was 26 but he still is very good.

I really hope Richmond make a football decision and keep him playing, 1 year contracts are great but I seriously believe he could play for another 2 years.

Either way you guys have been great to Cuz and he is rewarding that which is good for all.
Really rapt for you supporters with how your club is progressing, very exciting for you guys. Keep it up.

hey dude, seeing as you guys are so nice and polite, how abouts sending over Daniel Kerr to us next year so we can win our next flag within 2 years.

 

[Coledinho]

Its obvious hes playing his teamrole to a tee. Told to get the ball then handball it off to the younger players. Hes a major driving force of developing the young players. Any decision to let him go would be proposterous

 

[greatwhiteshark]

hey dude, seeing as you guys are so nice and polite, how abouts sending over Daniel Kerr to us next year so we can win our next flag within 2 years.

Actually Cogga you can have Kerr, he hasn't had a kick since Judd and Cuz left.
Swap you Kerr for Martin????

Seriously you don't need Kerr, you have some great young midfielders.
But imperitive for them that Cuz is out there with them for at least another year.

 

[CoggaRules]

Actually Cogga you can have Kerr, he hasn't had a kick since Judd and Cuz left.
Swap you Kerr for Martin????

Seriously you don't need Kerr, you have some great young midfielders.
But imperitive for them that Cuz is out there with them for at least another year.

yeah we do but Cotch, Martin, Kerr & Cuz and the grunt work of Tuck, Eddo and Jacko, i would be tipping our midfield would be ready to mix it with all comers in the big time games. Kerr would be perfect for us atm with our need for some class and skill across the HFL too.

 

[mcuzzy]

anyone see the article on the AFL site about him?

the players want to keep him and Dimma is showing signs of wanting to keep him but still not sure

 

[Rustof]

yeah we do but Cotch, Martin, Kerr & Cuz and the grunt work of Tuck, Eddo and Jacko, i would be tipping our midfield would be ready to mix it with all comers in the big time games. Kerr would be perfect for us atm with our need for some class and skill across the HFL too.

Foley?

 

[_RT_]

Question for those that want Cousins to stay on. Where does he play next year?

Looking at a possible lineup if everyone is fit I struggle to fit Cousins in.

B: Moore Thursfield Newman
HB: Deledio Astbury Connors
I/C: Farmer/McGuane

Definitely won't play as a defender so forget about that.

C: Morton Jackson Cotchin
R: Graham Martin Foley
I/C: Edwards

The 5 midfielders here look pretty solid, Mortons spot probably being the least secure of the bunch. With Webberley and Nason showing they can both cover a fair bit if ground you could quite easily throw either in Morton spot and not lose much.

HF: Taylor Griffiths Collins
F: King Riewoldt Nason
I/C: White

White & King play defensive forward roles which has really help us stop opposition rebound from our F50 and as Cousins is a ball winner I don't see him changing to become a defensive HF at 32-33. Taylor is shaping up as an X factor 3rd tall type by all reports. Cousins could take Collins or Nasons spot on the other HFF/FP, but given both are about10 years younger and have shown a bit of consistency it'd be a dumb move to send them back to Coburg now, just so Cousins can run around another year.

So if anyone can make a legitimate case for a spot Cousins can take from this line up I'd love to hear it, remember the goal at the moment is to get 50 games into the younger kids as quick as possible so Cousins taking the spot of one of them is just defeating the purpose.

Also this doesn't take into account any draftees/trades that will occur in the off season.

 

[Goldust]

Question for those that want Cousins to stay on. Where does he play next year?

Looking at a possible lineup if everyone is fit I struggle to fit Cousins in.

B: Moore Thursfield Newman
HB: Deledio Astbury Connors
I/C: Farmer/McGuane

Definitely won't play as a defender so forget about that.

C: Morton Jackson Cotchin
R: Graham Martin Foley
I/C: Edwards

The 5 midfielders here look pretty solid, Mortons spot probably being the least secure of the bunch. With Webberley and Nason showing they can both cover a fair bit if ground you could quite easily throw either in Morton spot and not lose much.

HF: Taylor Griffiths Collins
F: King Riewoldt Nason
I/C: White

White & King play defensive forward roles which has really help us stop opposition rebound from our F50 and as Cousins is a ball winner I don't see him changing to become a defensive HF at 32-33. Taylor is shaping up as an X factor 3rd tall type by all reports. Cousins could take Collins or Nasons spot on the other HFF/FP, but given both are about10 years younger and have shown a bit of consistency it'd be a dumb move to send them back to Coburg now, just so Cousins can run around another year.

So if anyone can make a legitimate case for a spot Cousins can take from this line up I'd love to hear it, remember the goal at the moment is to get 50 games into the younger kids as quick as possible so Cousins taking the spot of one of them is just defeating the purpose.

Also this doesn't take into account any draftees/trades that will occur in the off season.

WOULD play him ahead of both King and Taylor in that forward line. And thinking, RT, you may be underestimating the impact of bench rotations. Most players play on average about 80% of a game, plenty of time for Cousins to play forward with some cameos in the middle.
Also discounting injuries and loss of form. You are basing your best team - which by the way isn't far off the mark - on the assumption they'll all be available. Foley played all of one game this year from memory, there is every likelihood - actually I'll guarantee it - there'll be aplayer go down with injury and miss the majority of the season next year. Guarantee it. I don't want to put a curse on anyone, but it's a given.
Then there's suspensions!!
I think it's likely Cousins would start on the bench a lot of weeks, but he is easily good enough to play. His influence on Martin in particular is worth more much more than the simple contribution he makes on the field.

 

[Rustof]

Foley's absence for most of the year probably helped in to get games this year, as I said before even if he doesn't get a new contract we have to offer him a job or we're mad.

 

[tigerdan]

So if anyone can make a legitimate case for a spot Cousins can take from this line up I'd love to hear it, remember the goal at the moment is to get 50 games into the younger kids as quick as possible so Cousins taking the spot of one of them is just defeating the purpose.

This is not some pleb who we are keeping on the list, this is one of the best midfielders of his generation, and one who is a brownlow medallist, captain and premiership player. And you can't think of reasons to keep him for one more year???

He is better than most of the players in our team, it's just that he is older. He adds depth to the list so first option is to name him as one of the four players we can have on the bench.

Regardless of the fact that he is getting long in the tooth, you are also completely ignoring what he brings to the team in leadership, experience and setting an example on the training track. A young team needs leadership.

In addition, you are assuming that we have no injuries to your hypothetical lineup. You are also generalising by assuming that there is the same 'best 22' for every single opposition team. That is an oversimplification. There may be times when he is not suited to get a game. For example, an interstate game on a Friday night when we've played the previous Sunday. But there will be other times when he would be in the first few picked. Even if he only plays 11 games next year it will be worth it - especially if we make the finals.

And you really think you can't find a spot for him on the ground next year??? Hogwash.

 

[peejay]

I have a feeling Foley will be the new coughlin. I really hope not as i loved him since i saw his second game at Coburg and came on here and called him a star 12 months before he got a game with us.

I just have this sick feeling in my stomach about him.

RT Cuz could start on the bench and rotate through the middle with ease next year.

If we don't sign him we lose him as he has said that a coaching/ mentoring role post playing is not for him. The club knows this and must make a decison based on this.

 

[_RT_]

WOULD play him ahead of both King and Taylor in that forward line. And thinking, RT, you may be underestimating the impact of bench rotations. Most players play on average about 80% of a game, plenty of time for Cousins to play forward with some cameos in the middle.

Do you really think Cousins would work playing as a defensive forward tagging the likes of Heath Shaw, Hurn, Waters, Fisher and the like. Also Cousins has the lowest TOG % amongst our regular players with around 74% gametime.

Also discounting injuries and loss of form. You are basing your best team - which by the way isn't far off the mark - on the assumption they'll all be available. Foley played all of one game this year from memory, there is every likelihood - actually I'll guarantee it - there'll be aplayer go down with injury and miss the majority of the season next year. Guarantee it. I don't want to put a curse on anyone, but it's a given.
Then there's suspensions!!

I also discounted any trades and draftees. It was much easier doing it that way rather than trying to guess who may or may not miss games. Even so there are plenty of kids that missed a spot that could also be in line for a spot.

I think it's likely Cousins would start on the bench a lot of weeks, but he is easily good enough to play. His influence on Martin in particular is worth more much more than the simple contribution he makes on the field.

Hardwick has already floated the possibility that a cap on rotations could see the end of Cousins.

This is not some pleb who we are keeping on the list, this is one of the best midfielders of his generation, and one who is a brownlow medallist, captain and premiership player. And you can't think of reasons to keep him for one more year???

Those are all valid reasons to keep him, but I'm talking about the development of the kids coming through and how they need game time at AFL level. Cousins being given a spot in the side next year just because he is a Brownlow medallist and a premiership player is wrong. He should be made to earn a spot like everyone else.

He is better than most of the players in our team, it's just that he is older. He adds depth to the list so first option is to name him as one of the four players we can have on the bench.

He is better than most, but he is also in the twilight of his career, somewhere along the line a decision needs to be made as to what is best for the rest of the side. Like I said above we need to move on and look longer than just next year.

Regardless of the fact that he is getting long in the tooth, you are also completely ignoring what he brings to the team in leadership, experience and setting an example on the training track. A young team needs leadership.

No I'm not ignoring the leadership, experience and standard of training he sets. I'm simply breaking it down to where does he fit in our best 22 next year.

In addition, you are assuming that we have no injuries to your hypothetical lineup. You are also generalising by assuming that there is the same 'best 22' for every single opposition team. That is an oversimplification. There may be times when he is not suited to get a game. For example, an interstate game on a Friday night when we've played the previous Sunday. But there will be other times when he would be in the first few picked. Even if he only plays 11 games next year it will be worth it - especially if we make the finals.

And you really think you can't find a spot for him on the ground next year??? Hogwash.

If the side is good enough to win enough games to make the finals with Cousins playing only 11 games would it be fair to tap a kid like Webberley, Nason, King White or Collins(all should play a fair number of games next year as we put more development into them) on the shoulder and say sorry but with the finals coming up we're dropping you in favour of Cousins. A great way to develop chemistry.

 

[ize_]

I have a feeling Foley will be the new coughlin. I really hope not as i loved him since i saw his second game at Coburg and came on here and called him a star 12 months before he got a game with us.

I just have this sick feeling in my stomach about him.

RT Cuz could start on the bench and rotate through the middle with ease next year.

If we don't sign him we lose him as he has said that a coaching/ mentoring role post playing is not for him. The club knows this and must make a decison based on this.

Definitely with you on Foley, it's going on far too long for my liking. Next pre season is the clincher one feels.

 

[Goldust]

Do you really think Cousins would work playing as a defensive forward tagging the likes of Heath Shaw, Hurn, Waters, Fisher and the like. Also Cousins has the lowest TOG % amongst our regular players with around 74% gametime.

I also discounted any trades and draftees. It was much easier doing it that way rather than trying to guess who may or may not miss games. Even so there are plenty of kids that missed a spot that could also be in line for a spot.


Hardwick has already floated the possibility that a cap on rotations could see the end of Cousins.

Those are all valid reasons to keep him, but I'm talking about the development of the kids coming through and how they need game time at AFL level. Cousins being given a spot in the side next year just because he is a Brownlow medallist and a premiership player is wrong. He should be made to earn a spot like everyone else.


He is better than most, but he is also in the twilight of his career, somewhere along the line a decision needs to be made as to what is best for the rest of the side. Like I said above we need to move on and look longer than just next year.

No I'm not ignoring the leadership, experience and standard of training he sets. I'm simply breaking it down to where does he fit in our best 22 next year.


If the side is good enough to win enough games to make the finals with Cousins playing only 11 games would it be fair to tap a kid like Webberley, Nason, King White or Collins(all should play a fair number of games next year as we put more development into them) on the shoulder and say sorry but with the finals coming up we're dropping you in favour of Cousins. A great way to develop chemistry.

FEEL you have answered your own question. We have given significant game time this season to the likes of Martin, Nason, Astbury, Collins, Connors, White, King even Edwards if you'd like to count him, all the while Cousins has been contributing.
Who exactly is Cousins taking game time off ... Hislop? Thomson? McMahon? Polo? Relton Roberts? About the only player you might make a case for is Taylor, though he has been injured a good part of the year!! Maybe Webberley ... still had a good run at it!
There's room fort Cuz and to continue to give game time to others.
Thes eguys will benefit from Cuz being onfield ... don't undersetimate that!!

I don't know about you but if I was told I was being dropped for a final in preference to a Brownlow medallist and four time All-Australian, I'd be pretty understanding!! Players have been being dropped for finals since day one. A team player handles it!!!

 

[mcuzzy]

Number of players on our list with a Brownlow, Premiership medal and more than one finals appearance: 1

He has so much experience and knowledge and the players have said they want and need him to be playing along side them.

I can't see any benefits in asking him to retire

 

[Harvey Leadpipe]

Those are all valid reasons to keep him, but I'm talking about the development of the kids coming through and how they need game time at AFL level. Cousins being given a spot in the side next year just because he is a Brownlow medallist and a premiership player is wrong. He should be made to earn a spot like everyone else.

No I'm not ignoring the leadership, experience and standard of training he sets. I'm simply breaking it down to where does he fit in our best 22 next year.

Sorry RT, but sounds like you're on some anti-Cous wagon here. Was clearly in our best 2 or 3 on the weekend. What he may have lost in speed (and still avoided plenty of tackles), he more than makes up for in footy nous.

Earning a spot? Same has to apply to the kids. Can't just play them simply to get game time into them, and rush them to 50 games.

If the side is good enough to win enough games to make the finals with Cousins playing only 11 games would it be fair to tap a kid like Webberley, Nason, King White or Collins(all should play a fair number of games next year as we put more development into them) on the shoulder and say sorry but with the finals coming up we're dropping you in favour of Cousins. A great way to develop chemistry.

Even Cousins at 60% still sets a benchmark some of our cubs will need to reach next year. Agree with a few others on their previous comments. King, and Taylor, yep. Others that would still need to catch up to him include Astbury, Nason, Farmer, Collins. And those that will never reach even his current standard are the like of Edwards, White and Morton.


I agree he shouldn't be picked on name just alone, but to basically say he would be holding the club back? Rubbish.

 

[tiggywigs]

Sorry RT, I'm with Goldust and the others on this one. Huge upside if we keep him, very little downside. He's fast-tracking the development of our midfield & etc. Surely that's obvious?

 

[_RT_]

Sorry RT, but sounds like you're on some anti-Cous wagon here. Was clearly in our best 2 or 3 on the weekend. What he may have lost in speed (and still avoided plenty of tackles), he more than makes up for in footy nous.

Earning a spot? Same has to apply to the kids. Can't just play them simply to get game time into them, and rush them to 50 games.



Even Cousins at 60% still sets a benchmark some of our cubs will need to reach next year. Agree with a few others on their previous comments. King, and Taylor, yep. Others that would still need to catch up to him include Astbury, Nason, Farmer, Collins. And those that will never reach even his current standard are the like of Edwards, White and Morton.


I agree he shouldn't be picked on name just alone, but to basically say he would be holding the club back? Rubbish.

I can assure you I'm not on some anti Cousins wagon, its more I'm just voicing my opinion that I believe we'd be better served without Cousins. Interesting watching On The Couch at the moment and just before they said that with regards Cousins the only decision we need to make regarding keeping him on is whether he has a spot in the best 22 next year, which is much the same as what I asked earlier.

 

[tigerdan]

If the side is good enough to win enough games to make the finals with Cousins playing only 11 games would it be fair to tap a kid like Webberley, Nason, King White or Collins(all should play a fair number of games next year as we put more development into them) on the shoulder and say sorry but with the finals coming up we're dropping you in favour of Cousins. A great way to develop chemistry.

But it is not a foregone conclusion that a kid will get dropped for Cousins come the first round of finals. That assumes that Cousins does not play in round 22. And you are implying that Cousins would get a game simply because it's a final and not based on form. That is not a foregone conclusion either.

At the very least, Cousins offers depth and experience. At the very least! If we retire Cousins we gain one extra last-round pick. No kid can replace the impact of Cousins in his first year. So we are ahead on the equation already. We only 'lose' in the longer term if the hypothetical kid drafted with our last pick comes good. The likelihood of this is slim.

I don't buy your argument about Cousins robbing kids of games / game time either. You have a point, but heck, that logic taken to extremes would see us not play Riewoldt so we can get games into Post! Kids need to earn their spot and if they can force Cousins out of the team then good on them. No-one is suggesting that Cousins should get a game by just showing up.

 

[_RT_]

I don't buy your argument about Cousins robbing kids of games / game time either. You have a point, but heck, that logic taken to extremes would see us not play Riewoldt so we can get games into Post! Kids need to earn their spot and if they can force Cousins out of the team then good on them. No-one is suggesting that Cousins should get a game by just showing up.

The difference between Cousins and Riewoldt is one will be 32-33 entering next season while the other will be in his early 20's.

 

[tropicaltiger]

anyone see the article on the AFL site about him?

the players want to keep him and Dimma is showing signs of wanting to keep him but still not sure

Have a guess who Dimma had his arm around while belting out our famous song in the rooms.