Shane Crawford or Ben Cousins?

[Guardian Hawk]

My mistake there, I should have proof-read my post because there's quite a few errors. What I basically meant is I could see why people rate Cuz much higher in his prime (05-07 imo) as the team was amongst the best in the AFL at the time and so the achievements over that period could arguably carry more weight as Cousin's achievements in that period also tied in with a premiership.

Crawf on the otherhand was playing his very best football when his team obviously wasn't and it didn't lead to the ultimate team prize. Obviously in his last match he finally got a premiership medal but it was clear that he had played his best footy (hence the retirement) and you could say that he didn't play as significant a role in getting that premiership compared with Cuz or other players.

I think the main reason for me rating Cousins higher is the team that I support more than anything else (my obvious bias) but in now way do I think there is as big of a gap as others have stated. If you were to compare the two players on paper (in terms of individual accolades) they both had long and successful careers and there isn't much between them at all. Although from what I mentioned in my first paragraph, I can see why many people would hold views that Cousins should be rated much higher even though there isn't actually much between them.

Fair enough mate - thanks for the clarification

 

[wc_morty]

I would have said Crawf. Surprised Benny is winning this one, I think Crawf accomplished more for footy in his career whereas Benny accomplished more for west coast.

 

[Buddy23#]

If you drafted one at number 1 in the draft and the other at number 2 you wouldn't care which one you got.

 

[00Stinger]

Both carried their teams for a good period and were very similar players. I am going Cousins, just.


Good poll about two very similar and even players

 

[a_shot_on_ehlo]

As footballers, Cousins by a fair bit imo

 

[Jason_Akermanis]

I was and am still better than both these plodders.

 

[footscore]

very close, maybe Cousins only just as he seemed to influence a game if it was close just a tad more often than what Crawford did.
Cousins had more support through the midfield though.

 

[boncer34]

Cousins. By miles.

But Crawford getting his medal was my favourite Grand Final moment of the past 10 years. If anyone deserved a medal it was that poor bastard

 

[00Stinger]

Does everyone on here remember how good Crawford was in the late 90's-early 00's?

 

[The King!]

I know who i respect more, but cousins was a better player just

 

[Ilovethehawks]

Does everyone on here remember how good Crawford was in the late 90's-early 00's?

Judging by the ridiculous voting thus far, I would say definitely not.

 

[Play by Numbers]

Judging by the ridiculous voting thus far, I would say definitely not.

How is it ridiculous?

If 7 out of 10 people rate Cousins marginally better, that is still 70% of the vote.

Cousins for me was better, though not by a lot. Like Black he played amazing football both when his team struggled and when they were on top.

I think Cousins just had that little bit extra, slightly more crafty with his ball use, broke games open just a little more often and was marginally better at getting free from traffic.

 

[gaffy444]

Seriously guys, it could very much go either way. If they were both drug dealers I respect Cuz as I do my heroin dealer, and Crawf as others but I should put myself up for testing.

 

[Dazb86]

Shane ruined his reputation by acting like he was on playschool whenever he got on TV.

 

[Ilovethehawks]

Shane ruined his reputation by acting like he was on playschool whenever he got on TV.

Sad but no doubt true.

 

[Mighty Chinook]

Cousins by a fair bit. Crawf was a great player and inspiration captain, but Cousins just had that X-factor, and could pull of things that Crawf could not.

 

[Guardian Hawk]

Cousins by a fair bit. Crawf was a great player and inspiration captain, but Cousins just had that X-factor, and could pull of things that Crawf could not.

Curious what you think that Cousins could pull off that Crawf could not?

 

[Mighty Chinook]

Curious what you think that Cousins could pull off that Crawf could not?

I just mean that Cousins could, more often than Crawf, make something out of nothing; i.e. dodge and weave through traffic and create more scoring chances. Don't get me wrong, still think Crawf was a champ, even if his post-footy career has been pretty embarrassing

 

[jod23]

You know when player A is better than player B when the only people suggesting player B is better than player A is supporters of player B's team.

Outside of WC and Hawthorn fans, almost every single person has gone with Cousins. Most also saying by a fair distance.

I am a West Coast fan. But I know Cuz was on another level to Crawford. No disrespect to Crawford who was a great player, but Cousins was a step up. Lot's of people go on about Voss/Hird/Buckley. But I think Cousins and a bloke named Robert Harvey were right their with those 3 too. Crawford was a level behind blokes like that.

 

[scottjr]

Would rather have Crawford in my side than Cuz...with Cuz I will always be wondering what the hell he was on.

 

[atomicfootball]

Cousins hands down. The things he could do on the field... still leave me flabbergasted today. Bloody brilliant.