10,000,000 Cousins threads [Merged]

[GoodOne]

Again, Goodone as discussed this is just not true. I wouldn't be shocked if we took two mids with our first two picks.

Right now, there is no one on the list who isn't getting a game because they are being held out by someone.

No not right now, which is why Cousins is playing. And we're not necessarily talking about playing generally speaking, we're talking about experience playing in the midfield. As I said, all of Deledio, Connors, Collins, Edwards, Webberley, Nason and next year Hicks and hopefully Contin as well as any mature-age or younger players we pick up this draft could gain experience in the midfield next year. These are players who have not experienced alot of midfield thus far. There is plenty to work with, much more than we have ever had in the past. Add your Cotchin, Martin, Foley and Jackson and I am very positive about our midfield for the future. In 3 years time I would be very surprised if we arent in the top 3 or 4 for midfield quality and depth. Much more concerned about our depth of key positions and opportunistic forwards and tight checking defenders.

 

[GoodOne]

Again, Goodone as discussed this is just not true. I wouldn't be shocked if we took two mids with our first two picks.

Arguably then even more reason to not have Cousins taking up a midfield spot next year.

 

[Barnzy]

For skill and desire, yes, but for age and what diminished capacity Cousins can provide in the future, quite arguable. We will most likely be cutting 6 to 8 next year anyway. Cousins wont be with Richmond in a playing capacity next year. Personally though I'm not here or there on it. It wont be the end of the world if Cousins did play on for another year, it's just my preference that we continue to blood the youngsters and give them the on-field experience that they need, especially considering there are still some quite prospective young future midfielder options who have played very limited or no game time yet. No doubt we will be picking up one or two more in the end of year draft.

Agree with that. Neither here nor there, won't be too fussed if he stays or goes. Also agree with others that we lack midfield depth but using that argument for me would only hold weight if we were aiming for finals next year which we won't be. Keeping an ageing, slowing Cousins is not going to fix that problem long-term and really the problem is not a big issue short-term because again we aren't gunning for finals. Even then we might draft a few midfielders this year, a couple might pop up then he's taking a spot of one of the youngsters. Would he mind getting dropped and playing Coburg next year if that's the case? Sometimes you just have to realise when it's the right time to pull the pin.

 

[ZeroGame]

Arguably then even more reason to not have Cousins taking up a midfield spot next year.

You're assuming that both players would walk into the side and play 22 rounds in 2011
Perhaps we should develop our players properly for a change and not just hand them a spot in the 22
Look at what the competition for spots has done with the Collingwood list, they have 1 injury so everyone has to perform to keep their spot
Delisting Cousins will just damage our depth

 

[rockstar_tiger]

I suspect a first year midfielder in Martin has learned a lot from Cousins this year. If we draft 2 more midfielders with early picks, I would love to see them take advantage of Benny's professionalism up close and personal too.

That experience could easily outweigh the 15 games that the White, King, Webberley, Polo, Nason type of group will miss out on.

Just being on the field doesn't guarantee you learn to become a good player. You also get experience and learn to become the best by learning from the best. Baloo's post is spot on.

 

[GoodOne]

You're assuming that both players would walk into the side and play 22 rounds in 2011
Perhaps we should develop our players properly for a change and not just hand them a spot in the 22
Look at what the competition for spots has done with the Collingwood list, they have 1 injury so everyone has to perform to keep their spot
Delisting Cousins will just damage our depth

I am not assuming anything. I have already stated the number of players without next year's additions who would benefit potentially from getting midfield experience. Cousins and depth would only be an issue if we were to be vying for premiership contention. In that case there would be a lot stronger argument for keeping Cousins for an extra year. The only viable argument in my view is the experience and knowledge that Cousins could give to the youngsters on the field. I believe however that he could do just as much for the Tigers in an off-field role.

I think we are developing our players much better now. I think very few have been handed spots this year and have been selected on both performance and potential as it should be in a young, rebuilding squad. Do you think otherwise? And that is why you think we should keep Cousins? To prevent this from happening?

 

[Tigers of Old]

I always laugh how folks say how our players going well must have learnt plenty from Cousins but never mention those who are struggling.
Rose coloured glasses. 8)

 

[Scoop]

I always laugh how folks say how our players going well must have learnt plenty from Cousins but never mention those who are struggling.
Rose coloured glasses. 8)

List your strugglers.

 

[Tigers of Old]

List your strugglers.

How many delisted last year for starters..another batch coming up.
Cousins no doubt will have imparted some useful knowledge but I believe his impact is waay overstated in this regard by many.

 

[jb03]

I always laugh how folks say how our players going well must have learnt plenty from Cousins but never mention those who are struggling.
Rose coloured glasses. 8)

I guess Cousins couldn't teach Hislop to run beyond the top speed of a glacier.

 

[Scoop]

How many delisted last year for starters..another batch coming up.
Cousins no doubt will have imparted some useful knowledge but I believe his impact is waay overstated in this regard by many.

That is absurd Tooheys. How can Cousins have any blame for Cleve Hughes, Kayne Pettifer, Adam Pattison, Dean Putt, Jarrod Silvester and a top 10 draft pick in Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls.

How Benny didn't turn that group around is a major failure on his part. :

 

[mb64]

How many delisted last year for starters..another batch coming up.
Cousins no doubt will have imparted some useful knowledge but I believe his impact is waay overstated in this regard by many.

Toohey's,what are you on today?

 

[Tigers of Old]

How Benny didn't turn that group around is a major failure on his part. :

I didn't say it was a major failure or that Cousins was to blame. In fact my point is Ben didn't have much impact at all on those delisted.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Toohey's,what are you on today?

PRE.

 

[rockstar_tiger]

If he couldn't turn all 43 players into superstars, it hardly means he didn't still have an impact on many others.

Nobody is saying he is some kind of messiah with a 100% success rate across 100% of the list.

Let's take an example. Andrew Collins gets knocked out. On the bench, Cuz tells him to "shake it off and make a name for yourself". Collo kicks 2 goals, including the matchwinner. He praises Cousins in interviews in the days afterwards.

Of course, Benny's handball to kick ratio and the fact that Cleve Hughes got delisted are both evidence against someone like Collins gaining a lot from Ben's leadership... ??

Each to their own I guess. Nothing wrong with having a different opinion.

 

[zgod]

zzzzdog its just amazing how some just cant wait for a player like Cuz to fail so they can then say I told you so. :
Fact is Cuz has been putting in and if he continues to do that in the remaining rounds the club will have no choice but to give him another year.
As for Joeline I think he/she is your mate not mine.

Botox7,
You are missing the point of this. Im not popping up to say "I told you so" I just reckon his time is up. At least I do't sink the slipper like you have on your soul mate Joel :-*.
I have always admired Cuz and have been thrilled to have him as our own and if your willing to trawl through my drivel posts and find one bad post against the Cuz I will stand corrected but until than take a chill pill like the Cuz and just accept even the mighty sometimes take a little fall.
Back to the point, if his name wasn't Ben Cousins we wouldn't be having this discussion.

 

[Elmer]

I think you missed the gist of my post Elmer.

No I didn't Baloo. I was actually agreeing with you, just in a roundabout way. I reckon the leadership malarkey is overplayed.

Not for the same reasons obviously (being a knob) I reckon Cuz could go a year too long ala Aker. For whatever reason he struggled coming into/out of pre-season and while he has been serviceable I don't think he's been amazing. Just feel it is the right time for him and the club to move on.

Dare I mention 'his' mantra - turn em over.

 

[Elmer]

Toohey's,what are you on today?

PRE.

;D

 

[Scoop]

I didn't say it was a major failure or that Cousins was to blame. In fact my point is Ben didn't have much impact at all on those delisted.

And look at the list it is a FF, a mature flanker, two ruckman, a VFL football and the worst top 10 draft pick of the decade for Richmond. To say or imply that he should have had a impact on those players is rubbish Tooheys.

 

[GoodOne]

Let's take an example. Andrew Collins gets knocked out. On the bench, Cuz tells him to "shake it off and make a name for yourself". Collo kicks 2 goals, including the matchwinner. He praises Cousins in interviews in the days afterwards.

Wow impressive. I doubt Collins would have even remembered who spoke to him during that time. Other than the doctor asking how many fingers is he showing.