Probably a bad idea, but......

[Memories]

Cousins personal problems aside, I think his presence in our midfield might help our other younger midfielders take the next step. Maybe keep him away from our players except at training and at the game, try and keep it purely professional between him and our players. If he isn't deregistered should we try and get him, or what about as a "midfield assistant" coach?

His off field problems don't seem to affect his game performances, so I guess it comes down to a moral question... are we willing to do anything within the rules of the game to win a premiership?

 

[dominguez]

No doubt that our midfield would be strengthened by his addition. But if he plays on, and it's highly unlikely that he'll play again, then it won't be in WA.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him de-registered for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

 

[Memories]

No doubt that our midfield would be strengthened by his addition. But if he plays on, and it's highly unlikely that he'll play again, then it won't be in WA.

I figured that he would probably prefer to stay in WA for comfort, but may realize a move is better for him.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him de-registered for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

Donno, the charge the cops have on him is very light and I don't think they'll get a successful conviction. It looks like whatever INFO the cops had to do the sting they performed was a bit bad.

 

[poshman]

where have you been Dom?

I think it would be great if only to annoy the eagle bunch. But it will never happen imo. However it would be good if a few of ours could take that step to the cousins level (football wise). scham has stalled last couple of years. the list goes on.

 

[Slacker]

Funnily enough, I reckon Ben would have quite a few more years in the tank if it wasn't for the off-field issues. His running game would stay fairly intact for a few years yet (Craig Bradley hung around for years), and he is relatively injury free apart from some questionable hamstring injuries - questionable in terms of whether they actually occurred.

Wouldn't want freo to touch him with a barge pole though.

 

[estibador]

His off field problems don't seem to affect his game performances, so I guess it comes down to a moral question... are we willing to do anything within the rules of the game to win a premiership?

I am. I'm sick of comparing ourselves to the eagles and saying 'ooh look how much more upstanding and moral we are'. I don't care about that, I just want to win some bloody trophies.

Anyone who thinks our players (and players from every other club in the AFL) don't get up to the same sort of thing is pretty naive IMO. Maybe not to the extent that Benny boy does but it does happen. If I thought Cuz could tone it down a bit and not get caught I'd get him in a Freo jumper asap.

Unfortunately there's probably zero chance of him staying out of trouble while he's in Perth surrounded by all his usual friends and contacts. Especially since he seems to be a marked man by the cops now. Probably best he continues his career over east - if the AFL lets him.

 

[ImperialPurple]

An article on the AFL website has Vlad saying that he is now an unregistered player, and it would be up to the AFL commission whether or not to accept his application to become a draft nominee - if he decided to nominate. Methinks that they will not accept his nomination, should he try.

But I would have him - if for nothing else to watch the utter confusion on the weagle supporters faces as they try and cheer and boo at the same time...

 

[Memories]

I am. I'm sick of comparing ourselves to the eagles and saying 'ooh look how much more upstanding and moral we are'. I don't care about that, I just want to win some bloody trophies.

Anyone who thinks our players (and players from every other club in the AFL) don't get up to the same sort of thing is pretty naive IMO. Maybe not to the extent that Benny boy does but it does happen. If I thought Cuz could tone it down a bit and not get caught I'd get him in a Freo jumper asap.

I think Ben Cousins is probably the most famous person in Perth, so it's hard for someone like him to have even one little mistake not magnified 1000x. In the most recent case, it looks like the cops were targeting him and failed to get anything of substance on him.

There are players from our team who get up to their own little mischief yet still perform relatively well, so it's not like we are the perfect little club on the prairie. I think it would be hilarious if we got Cousins and win the 2008 GF with him, the Eagles would never, ever live that one down.

Unfortunately there's probably zero chance of him staying out of trouble while he's in Perth surrounded by all his usual friends and contacts. Especially since he seems to be a marked man by the cops now. Probably best he continues his career over east - if the AFL lets him.

Yeah I pretty much agree, a move would be best, but you never know. Still a chance he may want to stay here and get his life back into order, the hard way. I think we should be offering him SOMETHING at our club, he would be pissed with the Eagles right now and we need to take advantage of that sentiment.

 

[Memories]

But I would have him - if for nothing else to watch the utter confusion on the weagle supporters faces as they try and cheer and boo at the same time...

Imagine J Carr and Cousins not mouthing off at each other for once... I'll miss that if we get him.

 

[dominguez]

I figured that he would probably prefer to stay in WA for comfort, but may realize a move is better for him.



Donno, the charge the cops have on him is very light and I don't think they'll get a successful conviction. It looks like whatever INFO the cops had to do the sting they performed was a bit bad.

Whether he plans to play on or not he will have to move out of Perth. Every time he goes out in public he'll either have people feeling sorry for him or people giving him shit for flushing his career down the toilet. He'll become a recluse if he lives in Perth so will probably move to Sydney, Brisbane or overseas where he won't have the recognition.

The charge isn't severe, but it could be the straw that broke the camels back. How many times has he brought negative spotlight to the world of AFL footy, it must be 6 or 7 incidents now?

 

[Memories]

Whether he plans to play on or not he will have to move out of Perth. Every time he goes out in public he'll either have people feeling sorry for him or people giving him shit for flushing his career down the toilet. He'll become a recluse if he lives in Perth so will probably move to Sydney, Brisbane or overseas where he won't have the recognition.

The charge isn't severe, but it could be the straw that broke the camels back. How many times has he brought negative spotlight to the world of AFL footy, it must be 6 or 7 incidents now?

Anywhere in Australia he will have to be a recluse. I just think he should only go out with a few "safe" people at all times, who drive him and look after him until this whole phase of his life is over. I'm thinking J Carr and H Black would be some good people who could keep Cousins in line...

If they see Cousins getting his nose close to any tables they could just backhand him.

 

[ImperialPurple]

If they see Cousins getting his nose close to any tables they could just backhand him.

Josh would only need to say "boo" and he'd back off.

 

[The Night Shift]

Cousins personal problems aside, I think his presence in our midfield might help our other younger midfielders take the next step. Maybe keep him away from our players except at training and at the game, try and keep it purely professional between him and our players. If he isn't deregistered should we try and get him, or what about as a "midfield assistant" coach?

His off field problems don't seem to affect his game performances, so I guess it comes down to a moral question... are we willing to do anything within the rules of the game to win a premiership?

No... No.... No...
Your surely joking, aren't you?

 

[Belnakor]

I think Cuzzy has been dealt with extremely harshly by his club, and by the AFL. The AFL are a bunch of clueless w***ers. HE HAS NOT RETURNED A SINGLE POSITIVE TEST and yet the AFL are unregistering him.. just ridicilous. And i would have thought the WCE would have a few more balls to back their favourite son. But then the WCE are essentially a soulless corporate machine. If Pav was in a similar situation i would want the club backing Pav to the hilt.

 

[Plugga]

No way in the wide world!

Bugger our midfield, I'd rather re-draft Clive & play him in the middle that pick up that idiot.

Surely your kidding!

Ben Cousins - a docker....arch enemy? no way

 

[Roundhouse]

If, and it is a very big if, the AFL decide to allow Cousins to register for the draft, they are well within their rights to give the club who picks him the exact same warning they gave the Weagles.

The AFL don't want criminals playing in their league. They are currently sending the message to all clubs that "If you have serial offenders on your list we will punish YOU the club."

The question actually is, "Do you want Freo to gamble their draft picks/money/premiership points against Ben Cousins re-offending?"

 

[Belnakor]

Despite my previous comments regarding Cousins and a coffin, I think we should swoop on him.

1 year deal. 80k for the season.

Yup this would be an absolute steal, and i reckon Cousins would take the offer. Cousins in our midfield would turn us from a top 8 possibility to a top 4 certainty.

Sometimes you just need to leave the moral high ground and get down into the gutter. If Cousins got us to a premiership i would be willing to do this.

 

[Belnakor]

If, and it is a very big if, the AFL decide to allow Cousins to register for the draft, they are well within their rights to give the club who picks him the exact same warning they gave the Weagles.

And we should say what the Eagles should have said to the AFL in the first place: Cousins needs to record 3 strikes and go through the NORMAL drug testing process. Other players have recorded strikes and been allowed to continue playing. There seems to be a "Ben Cousins" rule which is completely seperate to the rest of the league.

 

[inferno66]

The AFL is likey to de-register Cousins anyway. So theres no way that we would pick him up.

 

[Memories]

And we should say what the Eagles should have said to the AFL in the first place: Cousins needs to record 3 strikes and go through the NORMAL drug testing process. Other players have recorded strikes and been allowed to continue playing. There seems to be a "Ben Cousins" rule which is completely seperate to the rest of the league.

The AFL has the open ended "bringing game into disrepute" they could lay on us though. I guess as long as whatever cousins does isn't worse than previous things they never charged people with we will be fine.

 

[dockertor]

Not a good idea, His attitude is a cancer and I dont think for a second it will change anytime soon

 

[Roundhouse]

And we should say what the Eagles should have said to the AFL in the first place: Cousins needs to record 3 strikes and go through the NORMAL drug testing process. Other players have recorded strikes and been allowed to continue playing. There seems to be a "Ben Cousins" rule which is completely seperate to the rest of the league.

You need to check the AFL rules and guidelines.

The AFL has the power to santion clubs for their players' misconduct.

 

[The Night Shift]

Firstly, the guy has just been sacked by his club for failure to comply with his contract. Ben has clearly alot of personal and health issues. There is no way in the world he is ready to put his all in to play football ATM. He's just been sacked, he has serious emotional and drug abuse issues and you want to bring him to our club??!!?? For next Year!!!?? His issues can't be fixed overnight... He will not even be ready for a pre season...
His presence would certainly NOT be a positive influence on our club.
Just no way in the world is that good for Us, or good for Ben.
I can't beleive you some of you guys would seriously consider it.

Belnakor..!!!. The man was stood down becuase he could not comply with his contract. He has damaged the name of the game, his own clubs reputation and just brought national negative attention to AFL & Perth. Ben is a walking human headline and a living media circus. The further away from our beloved club the better.

 

[Borry]

Cousins at Freo - No No No No No No No No.

All this talk reminds me of this thread many moons ago on whtp http://www.wehavethepassion.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=2273

It will not make an ounce of difference to his behviour. In the same environment just in a different guernsey.

If Cousins is to further his career, it has to be over east.

Having him at our club will open up a string of hypocrisy tirades against our club and rightly so.

 

[Memories]

Having him at our club will open up a string of hypocrisy tirades against our club and rightly so.

Which will be bouncing off the shine of our 2008 premiership cup.

Cousins is extremely fit and takes his fitness seriously. Even with the drug rehab he could come back and perform extremely well provided he continues his fitness over there like last time. Last time he came back he was even fitter than before, so yeah.