10,000,000 Cousins threads [Merged]

[thomas the tiger]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

three words. Restraint of Trade. The AFL would have no choice but to let Cousing play AFL. If their rules were tested they would crumble like a house of cards.

As for Richmond picking Cousings up...... I think that should be a definite YES. He may fall off the wagone a couple of more times over the journey but that does not mean society should cast him aside. Stick with him and give him some support. Particularly if he is wearing a Richmond jumper.

 

[momentai]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Don't see how he could do that Jack.
If Ben applies for registration they would have to say yes or no.

 

[Willo]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

I'm like a lot of others, huge upside if all works out.
But geez what problems may arise if he can't get his life sorted.
I keep swaying,great to get him well and on track, but can't quite convince myself we need to chance it....
but then again....

 

[LachlanGrant]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Be serious, he would instantly be the best football player at our club.

We are about winning games of football, not trying to uphold the best standards society place on us.

I don't care about Ben Cousins drug problems. Everyone has problems and I feel that even though Cousins contributes to the scrutiny surrounding him by somewhat erratic behaviour he has not been found guilty of anything and we are crying out for some leadership and actual ability.

He is one of the best players in the competition and he would have something to prove.

Imagine picking him up and or masten and cotching with coughlan coming back.

Our midfield would be MUCH BETTER.

If we pick Guy Richards instead I think I will go crazy.

 

[Tubytiger]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Personally i hope the RFC dont touch him with a barge pole. A disaster waiting to happen. To think that getting a guy with his baggage to this club makes me just bloody pissed off. We dont need it. He is one of the best players that are going around but i certainly dont want someone who obviously has a drug problem being associated with our younger players, our club. That is just my opinion, we all obviously have our own personal opinions of this situation.


It seems to me alot of people are just looking at the big picture of a fantastic player coming to the club and making a big impact because of his natural ability. There is much more to playing football then just having natural ability. Ben is just another of those players that has wasted his god given talent to be tempted by things outside of football which has caused his demise. I have serious doubts whether he is taking his situation seriously enough. If he thought his problem was serious enough he should of spent much more time in rehab rather than coming back to football straight after rehab then going back after a stint in football as he did. But again just my opinion.

Above all, i just would like the guy to get his life back. Football is secondary.

 

[Hayfever]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

IMHO only one sensible solution remains:-

To save face for the AFL, and to avoid the threat of drawn out legal action and ongoing adverse publicity, Cousins must be offered the opportunity to play under a new AFL/AFLPA sponsored initiative to support players with major disabilities(e.g. depression and substance addictions).

That initiative would include sanctioned support programs and salary subsidisation. Both the player and his new club would receive assistance. Such a scheme may well have helped Jonathan Hay/Kangaroos and ought to be put in place ASAP for Cousins. The AFL and AFLPA simply cannot afford to allow a superstar like Cousins, who has achieved the highest honours our game provides, to remain ostracised and hung out to dry like is currently happening.

So March/Wright/Miller/Wallace get sweet talking to Benny Gale(AFLPA) and together convince the AFL and Ricky Nixon that RFC is ready, willing and able to rehabilitate Ben Cousins.

 

[Rosy]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Above all, i just would like the guy to get his life back. Football is secondary.

Well said Tuby. :clap

The first part of your post sounds like my husband....so much so I'm wondering if he lives a double life. :hihi

 

[LachlanGrant]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Sorry if i come off as an *smile*, but who cares about his life?

The man can play. We can't.

 

[Hes My Hero]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

IMHO only one sensible solution remains:-

To save face for the AFL, and to avoid the threat of drawn out legal action and ongoing adverse publicity, Cousins must be offered the opportunity to play under a new AFL/AFLPA sponsored initiative to support players with major disabilities(e.g. depression and substance addictions).

That initiative would include sanctioned support programs and salary subsidisation. Both the player and his new club would receive assistance. Such a scheme may well have helped Jonathan Hay/Kangaroos and ought to be put in place ASAP for Cousins. The AFL and AFLPA simply cannot afford to allow a superstar like Cousins, who has achieved the highest honours our game provides, to remain ostracised and hung out to dry like is currently happening.

So March/Wright/Miller/Wallace get sweet talking to Benny Gale(AFLPA) and together convince the AFL and Ricky Nixon that RFC is ready, willing and able to rehabilitate Ben Cousins.

Congrats Hayfever,
This is the smartest comment made about Cousins and RFC respectively to date.
The characteristics behind such a positive development of not only a player in trouble but also a club that has been criticised so highly for questionable decisions in the past, would be nothing less than applaudable.

 

[Hayfever]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Thanks.

As a club and a code it is about time we showed lessons have finally been learnt from tragedies like what happened with Justin Charles.

 

[Rosy]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Do you propose that for next season when Ben is yet to go through rehab and get himself back on track, or the season after once he's got himself in order? I think the idea has merit but not sure the time is right for Ben.

Surely getting back on track is more important than playing football. Flaking on footpaths in front of night spots, running from booze busses, refusing tests, unsuccessful rehab, missing training etc show Ben isn't exactly on the rails at this stage and until he gets his own act together it's a bit much to expect him to get his life in order in the public spotlight while playing at the elite level

If he were my kid I'd do all I could to get him to step back and get his act together. Life's too short to stuff around with and footy really isn't important in the scheme of things compared to good health and happiness.

 

[Hayfever]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Do you propose that for next season when Ben is yet to go through rehab and get himself back on track, or the season after once he's got himself in order? I think the idea has merit but not sure the time is right for Ben.

Surely getting back on track is more important than playing football. Flaking on footpaths in front of night spots, running from booze busses, refusing tests, unsuccessful rehab, missing training etc show Ben isn't exactly on the rails at this stage and until he gets his own act together it's a bit much to expect him to get his life in order in the public spotlight while playing at the elite level

If he were my kid I'd do all I could to get him to step back and get his act together. Life's too short to stuff around with and footy really isn't important in the scheme of things compared to good health and happiness.

I believe there are two issues Rosy......... a proper support structure(which needs to be put in place ASAP) and then a return to playing(secondary). I would like to see Cousins be embraced by the RFC and allow him to train and gain support within our umbrella until such time as he ready and cleared to play for us. The cost should be worn by the AFL/AFLPA fully.

As it is now Cousins has been tossed out of the AFL....... officially he is no longer its problem. This is entirely unsatisfactory and will likely result in prolonged legal argument and not do the code or Cousins any good.

Here is part of a quote by Demetriou when Jimmy Krakouer was released from jail in August 2004:-

Demetriou said Krakouer could possibly be employed as a "reverse role model."

"The example I can give is that three years ago we employed (former Richmond player) Justin Charles to conduct our drug education program at the clubs.

"Justin was the first player and the only player who has been charged with anabolic steroids in the AFL.

"He delivered the most powerful message of all the speakers we've ever had at the clubs.

"The feedback we got from the clubs was unbelievably positive, so much so that his talk was taped and has been used by other sports," Demetriou said.

"You can have reverse role models.

"I think that people are entitled to a second chance."

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/25/1093246586855.html?from=storylhs

 

[TFreeCoatHanger]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

My vote is for a midfield of

Cousins, Cogs, Cotchin, Foley, Connors, Lids & Bling l

Over a midfield of

Johnson, Tuck, Tiv, Poio, Jacko and M Morton and Howat

Surely the problems at WestCoke we more a bigger 'cultural' issue attributed to many players (and non-players surrounding the club) - not solely the influence of one single player. Sure Cousins is a high risk (at getting into more trouble), but to say that Cousin's would be an insidious cancerous influence on the Tigers is just plain insulting to the character and substance on the Tigers. The great character of people like Benny Gale or P Bo or Richo will not diminish

If you're still worried, make Richo's old man his mentor
8)

 

[tigerlee]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

I voted yes. I want Ben to get well but once he does, I want him to give us that touch of class that we need out on the ground. The man is a champion player.

He offers us a few great years of service and will give our kids a real boost in confidence and learning how the game is played from a different level. They will grow in stature. I know a lot of you think that this is a risk but I dont see it that way. I cant see him stuffing up his last chance in footy and what a bonus that will be for the club that takes him!

 

[mopsy fraser]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

i voted no.
he`s had his second chance,and 3rd and 4th and 5th....

as an earlier poster said the eagles sacked him for repeated breaches of his ZERO tolerance contract that he agreed to and signed off on.
as for him sueing the WA police well what a joke that is.
that just goes to show what kind of person he is.
self centred and unable to take responsibility for his behaviour and blaming everyone else.
he got off on a technicality,having valium in liquid injectable form was prohibited but he had it in tablet form.
his lawyer asked for and recieved $50 in compo at court because that`s all it`s worth.

he could have been sacked for any one of the following,remember he was on a zero tolerance contract.
1.having unprescribed valium on him,this drug is a popular drug for amphetamine users for the coming down effect.
2.having unprescribed oxycontin on him,this is an opiate based drug favoured by heroin junkies.

Oxycodone is becoming an increasingly publicized and known drug to the general public. The discovery of its recreational benefits has led to an illicit underground market. Due to acts such as pharmacy diversion and "doctor shopping", the drug is widely available to those without a prescription.in Australia OxyContin is covered by the PBS, and a patient can potentially get up to sixty tablets for as little as $4.90AUD in total. The NSW Rural Doctors Network notes "Some patients who are legitimately prescribed strong opioids, by a pain clinic or for a terminal condition, will sell part, or all, of their prescription on the illicit drug market to augment their income" and "‘Doctor–shopping’ data for 1999/2000 for Australia show that a total volume of 262 923 codeine compound analgesics and narcotic prescriptions were written for 8780 known abusers. These patients saw more than 15 separate doctors in 1 year. The oxycodone contained in OxyContin produces typical opioid effects, and is considered a "reasonable substitute" for heroin, so much so that OxyContin is often referred to as "hillbilly heroin
3.refusing a drug test.
only a week or so before when it came out that he was one of the last people to see chris mainwaring alive(who died of drugs),cousins immediately had a drug test and was shown to be clean.
why then wouldn`t he take a test this time?
surely he would jump at the chance to again prove that he was clean.

anyone one of these things is more than enough to break his contract.
he obviously doesn`t give a stuff about the eagles,a club that he`s been with all his career and has given him fame,money,premiership,brownlow and lifelong friendships.

why would he give a *smile* about bloody richmond!
he can stay right away from my club thank you very much.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

s an earlier poster said the eagles sacked him for repeated breaches of his ZERO tolerance contract that he agreed to and signed off on.

why would he give a sh!t about bloody richmond!
he can stay right away from my club thank you very much.

That's just it mopsy.
Some think it will be different at another club because he'll have a point to prove...

WHY?

He had a point to prove when he came back from rehab and all he proved is that he's still ill.
He is likely well on the way to becoming an addict.
The drugs he has been reported as using are not 'recreational', they are highly addictive.

Anyone who has been close to someone who has been in an that situation knows that truth and reliability go out the window as the drugs take hold.

You cannot take the word of a junkie.

 

[Hayfever]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

he obviously doesn`t give a stuff about the eagles,a club that he`s been with all his career and has given him fame,money,premiership,brownlow and lifelong friendships

Interesting ...... "the club gave him fame,money,premiership,brownlow and lifelong friendships".

The Ben Cousins I have been watching busted his arse on the field for his club year after year, including an incredible effort first up after his recent rehab treatment.

Wish we had a player with half his ability for all those years. I'm sure we might have handled him differently to the WC Eagles. After all he was not Robinson Crusoe there when it came to misbehaving off field, was he?

 

[Six Pack]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

The great character of people like Benny Gale or P Bo or Richo will not diminish

pbo!

 

[Mr Brightside]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

I dont think I have ever been so 50/50 on a decision.

As I try an way this up I think of the inner demon's some of us have to face from time to time or even a life time,now if somebody is a Builder/capenter ,whatever an happens to be an alcoholic but still manages to turn up to work on time an do's the job at a competent level, should they be sacked?

Could Cousins beating of his illness make him an even stronger person an a great leader for the Cubs around him?

From an outsiders view I believe Cousins was just about the most respected player at his highly succesful club,an Im sure most knew of his addiction but maybe that was just the strength an character of the man that he was able to make it seem as it was no problem.

What effect would it have on the other players would they take him an give him a little tlc :hihiseriously would they show the respect an admiration he deserves as an elite footbller or would they look down on him as society do's on any drug addict.

Could this be the final straw that kicks our loyal supporters or could this gavalnise the club an show that we are an orgisation that can get through adversity an once again rise to a powerful force in the AFL/VFL.

One thing is for sure this is no plain old PSD pick this will be huge either way

 

[glantone]

Re: Cousins: The poll. Do you want the Tigers to draft Ben Cousins?

Is it fair to assume that if the Tiges offered Cousins a contract, then the club is by default accepting of (champion) players committing such crimes and misdemeanours providing they don’t commit them while wearing the Tiger gurnsey?
And if that’s the case where do the Tiges draw their moral line?

For me, I’d say YES to any Brownlow champion junky, booze hound, party animal or mad transvestite but draw the line on suspected serial killers, rabies carriers and conservatives...... unless they’re a KPP of course.