Do we want Ben Cousins?

[Jack-Packenham]

If the problems for Ben Cousins continue at the eagles could you see him wanting a fresh start away from Western Australia. Considering he grew up supporting the cats after his father played for us, do you think he would want to come and play for the club he nearly chose under the father and son rule a few years ago. If so, would we want him and what would we be prepared to give up to get him.

 

[thehoff]

If the problems for Ben Cousins continue at the eagles could you see him wanting a fresh start away from Western Australia. Considering he grew up supporting the cats after his father played for us, do you think he would want to come and play for the club he nearly chose under the father and son rule a few years ago. If so, would we want him and what would we be prepared to give up to get him.

Easy answer. Yes we would want him. Unsure of what we would give up though.

The man is a class act. ON THE FIELD.

 

[catempire]

First off, can't see it happenning.

Secondly, we'd have to give away something very decent (e.g. Joel Corey and a high first round pick).

Thirdly, not entirely sure I'd want him. For one thing he has proved to be at least somewhat a defective character. Aside from that, we probably don't need him. Yes, he's a star, but we have at least half a dozen midfielders under 25 who are potential stars if not excellent players in their own right (Ling, Bartel, Kelly, Ablett, Corey, Enright, etc.).

So, in short. No, no and no.

 

[The Hulkster]

As good a player as he is it is what we would have to give up to get him. I would say a 1st round draft pick and one of our onballers, say Joel Corey (coz he's from WA). I wouldnt do it. But i would be tempted.

 

[LongBomb]

I'd have him at the club in a second.

Would prefer a decent KP forward though.

 

[catempire]

I'd have him at the club in a second.
Would prefer a decent KP forward though.

I think that’s too simple an answer Longbomb. Why don’t we take Judd, Kerry, Embley and Cox while we’re at it? If you’re going to give the hypothetical question any dose of reality whatsoever you have to weigh up all the considerations including what you’d have to give up and what Cousins’ (poor) attitude would mean for the club.

 

[Partridge]

If the problems for Ben Cousins continue at the eagles could you see him wanting a fresh start away from Western Australia. Considering he grew up supporting the cats after his father played for us, do you think he would want to come and play for the club he nearly chose under the father and son rule a few years ago. If so, would we want him and what would we be prepared to give up to get him.

No. I've never rated him that highly - he's flashy and skillful, but disappears under physical pressure. Just about every time we play them Ling kills him. I don't have a lot of time for midfielders who hang out of packs picking up easy kicks - and he does that do perfection. Throw in the attitude and the answer is no, no, no and no. Sod him.

Plus we've got Ling, Corey, Enright, Kelly, Bartel, Ablett etc, I'm not sure the midfield is our problem.

 

[Rosella]

He's the reigning Brownlow medallist - i suspect the price would be way too high.

 

[malvern]

Of course - he'd fit right into the Melb gangland scene.......

 

[tusk]

as good of a player that he is. I doubt he'd make a huge difference to our flag chances if he was in the squad.

Of course you'd want him but I doubt bomber would want to breakup the midfield he had built just to slot him in. Sometimes a champion team is better then a team full of champions.

 

[nananana catman]

I think that’s too simple an answer Longbomb. Why don’t we take Judd, Kerry, Embley and Cox while we’re at it? If you’re going to give the hypothetical question any dose of reality whatsoever you have to weigh up all the considerations including what you’d have to give up and what Cousins’ (poor) attitude would mean for the club.

You'd give up a helluva lot. Baggage included, he is the best Midfielder in the comp and better than any of ours.

 

[iameviljez]

Of course - he'd fit right into the Melb gangland scene.......

Nah, he'd get shot. Imagine giving up Joel Corey for that!

 

[scottydeewah]

ben who? Is he any good?

 

[catempire]

You'd give up a helluva lot. Baggage included, he is the best Midfielder in the comp and better than any of ours.

Yeah, see, I don't agree mate. For the reasons outlined in my first post.

Don't think he's the best in the business either. I'd take many more before him.

 

[Cro_Pavo]

Ben Cousins should have been playing for the Geelong Cats in the first place and should have been taken by the Cats under the father-son rule!

 

[carn_the_cattas]

Ben Cousins should have been playing for the Geelong Cats in the first place and should have been taken by the Cats under the father-son rule!

He didn't want to leave the WA from memory.

 

[JUBJUB]

Ben Cousins should have been playing for the Geelong Cats in the first place and should have been taken by the Cats under the father-son rule!

You can only take players under the F-S rule if they want to go to that club [i.e Mark Murphy knocked back Brisbane]

Ben didn't want to leave home and ended up at the West Coast.

 

[Cro_Pavo]

He was born in Melbourne and supported the Cats all his life!

 

[GeeCat]

He was born in Melbourne and supported the Cats all his life!

"The choice to stay home with my family and friends was going to give me ultimately my best chance of making it," Cousins said. "Leaving home at 17 and the move itself would have made it a little bit harder and I just thought my best footy was going to be played while I was at home."

 

[D0nk]

oops...

 

[Turbocat]

I think G just about covered the Father Son thing . The one thing I will add is , under todays criteria he wouldnt qualify for us, Bryan didnt play 100 for the Hoops

Now would we ( I ) go for him. Anyone who doesnt think he is better than most of our mids is fooling themselves. Talent wize Id love him in our side.
However,having lived thru the Ottens trade I dont think the cost would be worth it. At least with Ottens , we were trying to improve a deficiency.With him it would be only improving a strength. The asking price for him would be substantial.At a minimum the cost would be Ottens like two first round picks, which means trading someone, again.This means we pay for this trade now and the next 10 years or so.
Look at it like this would you give up Joel Coey plus Travis Varcoe for him? I would not.

Having said that , if I was WCoast and could get a super deal nows the time to trade him. 27, Brownlow and hes not getting any younger. Max. trade value is right now. Have to be brave to do it but othe greats like plugger have changed clubs.Why not.

 

[Catman]

No thanks.

Too much baggage now. Wouldn't want to take a chance on someone with his off-field history.

 

[WestCat]

In short, no. Benny's heading down the path of Gary Ablett snr, and I don't mean on the field.

If Kingy had done what Cousins did I'd want him out of the club. How West Coast can keep him and Gardiner on the list and call themselves a 'team' is beyond me.

 

[Partridge]

Anyone who doesnt think he is better than most of our mids is fooling themselves. Talent wize Id love him in our side.
However,having lived thru the Ottens trade I dont think the cost would be worth it. At least with Ottens , we were trying to improve a deficiency.With him it would be only improving a strength. The asking price for him would be substantial.At a minimum the cost would be Ottens like two first round picks, which means trading someone, again.This means we pay for this trade now and the next 10 years or so.
Look at it like this would you give up Joel Coey plus Travis Varcoe for him? I would not.

I still don't think Cousins is that hot. People can wave the Brownlow around but that's an award that means less every year. Unless you're a pretty midfielder which is who it's designed for - Crawford, Woewodin, Cousins et cetera. Like I stated earlier, he's a good player supported by other gun midfielders, and they do the hard work. You'll never see Cousins at the bottom of a pack. I cannot abide soft midfielders. In fact I hate them. Would anyone in their right mind give up Corey, or Ling, or Bartel for Cousins now? I doubt it very much. They are all younger and all much more courageous.

 

[CatFanatic]

Ben cousins would be great to have for his football talents.
Unfortunately to get this guy the price would be way too high.
As for his off field antics all I can say is this : if our favorite son was still capable of playing AFL we would accept him with open arms and what he had done off field would not matter in the least.
I am sure West Coast supporters feel the same way about their ex captain.