Ben Cousins a Tiger (Merged)

[feisty tige]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I thought he had signed with Port Melbourne, or did he opt out of that, they would have found him handy in the GF this year.

 

[WA Tiger]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

Thank the good Lord that we are not picking up Cousins, I honestly wish him the best and I hope he does get picked up but he does not fit in with the recruitment policy of our club and I am glad that the RFC is sticking to their guns. Many years ago we would have picked him up using the band aid policy we followed but not now, well done Tigers.

 

[premiers2011]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

Theres a great double standard. So if Cousins was to die from his drug addiction you would have sympathy for him ?

I don't see where the double standard is JK. All the way through I've said he'd be bad for the club and where to you get the idea I'd have sympathy for him if he was to die from his drug addition.
I would 'd say I'd be pleased to see any harm come to him but I don't think I'd sympathise. He's got that much help if he can't pull himself out of this he's not giving it a real crack and by the look of the shaved head ,full body waxing etc I reckon he's struggling.
I'd sympathise more for the people that his "mates" turned into addicts in the first place.

 

[premiers2011]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

What are you implying?

Elaborate.

There was plenty of innuendo floating around at the time that Ben Cousins was the last to see Mainwarring alive.
I know nothing but it has to make you wonder where CM was getting his stuff and those two were thick as thieves so who knows just throwing it out there again.

 

[RemoteTiger]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

There was plenty of innuendo floating around at the time that Ben Cousins was the last to see Mainwarring alive.
I know nothing but it has to make you wonder where CM was getting his stuff and those two were thick as thieves so who knows just throwing it out there again.

That is the worse piece of "muck raking" I have ever read on PRE. No proof just rumour but lets add more fuel to the fire.

Sadly a great number of posters here on PRE go on a journalists interpretations of a subject. Those journalist very rarely investigate their stories to the extent that they should therefore interpretations get mixed in with some facts - but the truth rarely sees the light of day because all the facts are never located or revealed by the Journalist.

And we here on PRE all go off half cocked on what a journalist thinks - rather than trying to understand the truth in the story first before commentating - I am always skeptical of journalists - who they work for - what barrow they have to push and why.

I think your statement above premiers09 is very very poor and you should endevor to lift yourself above this kind of rubbish.

And personally I wish Ben Cousins the very best in his recovery and I do hope that he dons a Tiger jumper in 2009 and further I hope he wins the Brownlow and lifts us into the Grand Final - I wonder how you would treat Ben Cousins the Richmond Champion then premiers09?.......

 

[theglove3]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I remember The Reverend Neale Daniher came up with a classic line whilst coaching the Dees.
He was asked by the media around Draft time about a particular player and he replied something like this:

"We've ruled him out at this stage. That doesn't mean we can't rule him back in again!" :hihi

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

The rumours are about us taking him as a mature age rookie with AFL consent, not as a PSD pick.

Therefore that article is meaningless and off topic.

The delusion continues.

We are already giving supposed bad boy Hislop a 2nd chance but surely benny you can apply common sense that we won't be throwing a lifeline to another problem 'child' with even more baggage.

That comment from Cameron looks pretty darn definitive to me.
We already have a mature rookie in Silvestor so unless the AFL change the rules to accomodate a drug addict which, I seriously doubt, then there is no way that Cousins will be at Richmond.

 

[doherz]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I'm not keen on Cousins myself.

I recognise he has been a Champion of the game but the drug issue/influence/his lifestyle aside, I also think he will stunt the development of our midfield too much.

I'm not buying this, his a good trainer/can mentor our midfielders aspect of him. Whatever good he does on that front would be largely overshadowed by the lack of game time/development.

We already have Johnson in the side, wether you agree with it or not, you have to expect him to be in our starting 22. How are we going to fit our emerging midfield, reward young talent in VFL with a spot of they earn it AND make a place for new talent like Thomson/Hislop, if we have Cousins and Johnson running around in the side.

I just feel the cons outweight the pros with Cousins.

At a glance it's a seductive opportunity, sure, he would improve our side next year if we can keep him healthy (in mind and body!)...

But long term..

1) His battling addiction, a battle he by all evidence, has been struggling with. It's certainly early days for him still.
2) I suspect he will be ripe for soft tissue injuries and question how much he will play
3) Takes a spot for emerging players (development aside, what if a emerging midfielder decides to do a Prismal and leaves because of lack of opportunity, players found it hard enough to break into side from VFL this year without making it harder next)
4) His lifestyle could very well be suspect, based on the amount of clubs who have looked into him in detail and passed now
5) The media attention/hype on him rather than the team will be most distracting
6) as as a good influence there is a possibility he cold be a bad influence is that worth the risk on Cotchn and Co. ?

I see the pros all short term, other than the fact if he stays healthy he will be a work ethic example, can teach a few tricks.

I wish him the best and a part of me would be excited to get him, his been such a quality player, but overall I think we have to concentrate on our long term vision/goal and Ben isn't in it.

I think he'd be great as a midfield skills/specialist coach. Takes the pressure of him regarding his suspect lifestyle. He needs to only conform to employee contract conditions, not AFL contract conditions then (I am assuming there worst here and believe he hasnt really changed his ways at all).

 

[gustiger12]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

Allegedly, we have already recruited a drug addict, and guess what?

We turned his life around!!

Benny you are correct in one part, but way off the mark with the addict bit. The person was not an addict and the drug a very different beast to the one(s) Ben has a problems with.

 

[gustiger12]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

Putting aside all the emotion of the arguement posted on here.

Before you would consider Cousins you would have to ask yourself, if he is genuinely clean, why on earth would he go the crewcut and bodywax, days before he was due to have a hair test.

What ever the reason/motivation it raises serious questions about his sincerity, maturity and raises suspicions that just mayb he has slipped up sometime in the not too distant past.

I have no issue with giving Ben a second chance, but he has to convince the people prepared to offer him the hand of friendship that he is genuine in his attempts to resurrect his career and for me he hasn't done, that and his manager has not helped him on little bit. Infact I would suggest he has probably hurt his chances.

For me I would rather give some kids his first chance than someone who has been given umpteen chances and blown everyone of them.

Remeber this is the guy who went to the states to rehabilitate and ended up in hospital after going on a Coke bender....

If he hadn't shaved his head and gone the body wax just maybe I would be a little less suspicious.

 

[gustiger12]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I find it amusing that many are asking why we would give Tom Hislop a second chance, but not a guy like Ben Cousins.

Putting aside the personal issue IMHO we have one kids who has talent, has made a few mistakes, is young, is just starting out on his football journey on the other hand we have guy who was a great talent, a genuine champion, has many issues, is aging, is coming to the end of his career, questions remain as to whether he will ever be the player he one was, has a history of hamstring injuries.

I think the club has given the second chance to the right person in this case. For no other reason than, if successful, one offers long term benefit to the side, the other does not.

 

[D85]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

even if he is clean, why would he put himself through a body wax anyway?? :hihi

 

[skybeau]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

If he hadn't shaved his head and gone the body wax just maybe I would be a little less suspicious.

Up until I heard this, I would've welcomed Ben to Richmond.

But, to me, this says he's still got something to hide (or he's got no brains). Otherwise, why on God's green earth would you do such a dropkick thing like that?

The right noises aren't being made by Ben (forget Nixon, he's the real prat here). Consequently, I've lost all interest in taking him.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

For me I would rather give some kids his first chance than someone who has been given umpteen chances and blown everyone of them.

Remember this is the guy who went to the states to rehabilitate and ended up in hospital after going on a Coke bender....

Dead right gussie.
Many seem to equate a 2nd chance with a 2nd club but it's hardly the case.
The list of Benny's misdemeanors is long in length and well publicised.
He has let those around him down by his behaviour several times before despite appearing to be contrite & sincere.
It would be a brave club that took him and little wonder that none have done so.

 

[benny_furs]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

The delusion continues.

We are already giving supposed bad boy Hislop a 2nd chance but surely benny you can apply common sense that we won't be throwing a lifeline to another problem 'child' with even more baggage.

That comment from Cameron looks pretty darn definitive to me.
We already have a mature rookie in Silvestor so unless the AFL change the rules to accomodate a drug addict which, I seriously doubt, then there is no way that Cousins will be at Richmond.

I agree entirely with your opinion in every aspect... I don't know what the "delusional" comment is about though. ???

 

[premiers2011]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

That is the worse piece of "muck raking" I have ever read on PRE. No proof just rumour but lets add more fuel to the fire.

Sadly a great number of posters here on PRE go on a journalists interpretations of a subject. Those journalist very rarely investigate their stories to the extent that they should therefore interpretations get mixed in with some facts - but the truth rarely sees the light of day because all the facts are never located or revealed by the Journalist.

And we here on PRE all go off half cocked on what a journalist thinks - rather than trying to understand the truth in the story first before commentating - I am always skeptical of journalists - who they work for - what barrow they have to push and why.

I think your statement above premiers09 is very very poor and you should endevor to lift yourself above this kind of rubbish.

And personally I wish Ben Cousins the very best in his recovery and I do hope that he dons a Tiger jumper in 2009 and further I hope he wins the Brownlow and lifts us into the Grand Final - I wonder how you would treat Ben Cousins the Richmond Champion then premiers09?.......

I'm sorry RT but get your head out of the sand. Maybe journalists do only write half truths but very rarely does a journalist at a reputed paper actually "make" things up. I'd say on average there's more truth than fiction in their writings so don't get up on your anti journalist horse and tell me to endeavour myself above this kind of rubbish. It's bearly muck raking if I'm quoting from a reported source.
I'm sure it's true that Ben Cousins was one of the last, if not the last to see Chris Mainwarring. It's true they were both on drugs and one of them is no longer with us. Now you can draw whatever bow you want from that but I'm sure I'm not the only one that's come to that conclusion.
What other conclusions can we go on unless we were actually there other than the journalists ones. I'm sure they'd be a lot of law suits floating around if there wasn't any truth in them at all.
Since when has this bloke that thought he was bigger than Perth itself become a saint that we've all got to bend over for and get him out of this hole he's dug himself into. I'm no anti drugs crusader and I wish the bloke the best but geez don't jump on me 'cos I happen to make a point that has been widely reported.
As far as if Cousins was to don a Tiger jumper, win the brownlow and lift us into a Grand Final. Maybe you should start believing a bit more of what you read in the papers and get your head out of the clouds. The guy's 30 years old, the last time he played was 15 months ago when he hobbled off looking like he'd been shot with a hammy injury. Remember Plugger, Salmon, Watson, Carey all champions and never came back with the capabilities of being able to lift a team, or win a brownlow without the emotional baggage of drug rehabilitation or such media scrutiny.
Maybe you should get off this "let's save Ben" crusade and start thinking about the Richmond football Club and what would be better for us instaed off saving the world.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

Great post premiers09.

 

[RemoteTiger]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I apologise Premier09 - Ben Cousins is guilty - guilty of everything that he has been accused of - best exile him to lands far away. For he cannot be of any service to himself - a new club- or the AFL in general.

A few older footballers who changed clubs did help lift their second club considerably - more recently Judd, Dew and over the years Healy Ottens the list does go on.

But I forgot Cousins made a number of mistakes and therefore should be sent to purgatory for the rest of his days,

Strewth - if that was the sentence for making big mistakes in life - we would all be there - for I know of no one that has not made big mistakes in life.

As for the journos they do not investigate matters anymore they merely accept the spin from who is ever telling them - then they add their own interpretation.

Ben Cousins maybe, maybe not acceptable to play our great game - we will never know now because all of his and his managers actions have been recorded in the press as wrong - whether they were or not - we had our minds made up for us by the press.

An the worse thing about this whole saga is there are players strutting around with Premiership Medals who according to reports are as bad as Ben Cousins - but again do we beleive those reports? Oh no they are pushed under the rug - why? Because they are Victorian or because they were caught by the AFL drug testing - whatever no *smile* hits the fan here - talk of double standards - but again we only have what we are fed - nothing more - nothing less.

Don't you ever feel you are being led by the nose when it comes to current affairs, sporting news etc. etc. in Australia?

We are meant to be a Christian Nation - after all our laws of the land are based on that faith - the corner stone to that faith is forgiveness - and - I have to admit there are times I do not forgive as easily or as often as I should - but in this case having travelled the addiction road Ben has and having come clean for over 16years - I feel I have some sort of idea what he might be going through - and forgiveness is the first step to understanding - the most important part for me and I have seen it in all others is to face the demon in exactly the same environment you lived in - it is then and only then do you kick it - elsewise you are just running away from it............

By your own writing you want the best for Ben is his recovery - then why not give him the chance at that recovery by letting him play in the AFL rather than treating him like a leper in days of yore..............

 

[ronnit]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

i dont think anyone is saying dont let him playl..they are saying they dont want him at richmond...which seems to be the sentiments of the richmond football club.


as for rumour and innuendo,,,i remember it being reported and not denied that ben was the last person to see CW alive. but i am not saying any more on that matter

i have also heard very recently that clubs have not signed ben because there is a little bit of something going on that us mere peoples dont know about...something has stopped 16 clubs from signing him..and as premiers pointed out ( and palease..how can you put judd and "older players" in the same group???) how do the clubs even know if he is going to be a top player again..he sure looks good but who knows what this has done to him both mentally and physically...


as for the statement that it is because he is not victorian..what a load of rubbish...that probably is one of the silliest things i have read!! here is the thing..ben cousins was about to be outed as a drug addict..of that i am pretty damn sure..he decided to "come clean" to try to save face.. so...if he was not about to be exposed he would probably never have admitted to his problem.....which puts him in the same basket as the ones who still take drugs but havent been caught!!

phew..dot think i have ever types so much!!!

 

[premiers2011]

Re: Ben Cousins a tiger?

I apologise Premier09 - Ben Cousins is guilty - guilty of everything that he has been accused of - best exile him to lands far away. For he cannot be of any service to himself - a new club- or the AFL in general.

A few older footballers who changed clubs did help lift their second club considerably - more recently Judd, Dew and over the years Healy Ottens the list does go on.

But I forgot Cousins made a number of mistakes and therefore should be sent to purgatory for the rest of his days,

Strewth - if that was the sentence for making big mistakes in life - we would all be there - for I know of no one that has not made big mistakes in life.

As for the journos they do not investigate matters anymore they merely accept the spin from who is ever telling them - then they add their own interpretation.

Ben Cousins maybe, maybe not acceptable to play our great game - we will never know now because all of his and his managers actions have been recorded in the press as wrong - whether they were or not - we had our minds made up for us by the press.

An the worse thing about this whole saga is there are players strutting around with Premiership Medals who according to reports are as bad as Ben Cousins - but again do we beleive those reports? Oh no they are pushed under the rug - why? Because they are Victorian or because they were caught by the AFL drug testing - whatever no sh!t hits the fan here - talk of double standards - but again we only have what we are fed - nothing more - nothing less.

Don't you ever feel you are being led by the nose when it comes to current affairs, sporting news etc. etc. in Australia?

We are meant to be a Christian Nation - after all our laws of the land are based on that faith - the corner stone to that faith is forgiveness - and - I have to admit there are times I do not forgive as easily or as often as I should - but in this case having travelled the addiction road Ben has and having come clean for over 16years - I feel I have some sort of idea what he might be going through - and forgiveness is the first step to understanding - the most important part for me and I have seen it in all others is to face the demon in exactly the same environment you lived in - it is then and only then do you kick it - elsewise you are just running away from it............

By your own writing you want the best for Ben is his recovery - then why not give him the chance at that recovery by letting him play in the AFL rather than treating him like a leper in days of yore..............

RT ,I too have made my fair share of mistakes in my life and probably aint finished yet.
I congatulate you on your sobriety over the last 16 years and like I said I'm no anti drug crusader but I bet every AA or DA session you went to you didn't sit there with a smug smile on your face as if you really didn't give a stuff about the situation you were in.
I doubt back then they had hair testing but I bet you would never have dreamt to go in to a test shaved down etc.
I doubt if you had the chance to go to the US to the best rehab facilities in the world you would've gone on a coke bender and ended up in hospital.
Ben Cousins leaves himself open to this speculation through no fault but his own.
If he had come out, sat down, looked down the barrel of a camera and said all the right things and looked like he meant them, I'd probably be quite happy to have him in a Tiger Jumper and give him the chance to see if he could get back to his former glory(which I doubt)
But while he prouncing around like a cocky so and so, making documentries about himself etc I feel no great sympathy for him.
We must remember there are 15 other AFL clubs that don't want to touch him. Don't you think that's a bit strange in this "dog eat dog" world of AFL where there's a 17th team coming into the comp next year and everyones striving for every little advantage they can get.

And your quoting " there are players strutting around with Premiership Medals who "according to reports" are as bad as Ben Cousins.
Now you can't start quoting newspaper reports straight after saying "Don't you ever feel you are being led by the nose when it comes to current affairs, sporting news etc. etc. in Australia?" now that's plain silly!!
My children attend a Christian college, which doesn't make me a saint but I know all the Christian faith and beliefs and dare say until Ben shows some true signs of remorse for all his wrong doings he's going to struggle to get the compasson he's looking for