Watching Ben Cousins

[Total Tiger]

Saturday was the first time I had been to a game with Ben Cousins in the team so I spent a fair bit of time watching him (not hard - I'm a hetrosexual woman). I've seen some TV footage on how he directs the game, but I didn't realise just how much he does it. He was directing players at centre bounces from outside the square, around the ground and even in the last minute telling McGuane and Moore to milk the clock and pointing to who to kick it to.

It seems like the media are looking for him to have a 35+ possesion game and kick the match winning goal before they'll give him much credit (and Robert Walls still wouldn't), but those days are behind him. He's not on the ground enough. Where we are benefitting the most from Cousins in the teaching he is giving our players, especially on game day. It was like having a playing assistant coach in the team. He might only go on for 1 or maybe 2 more years, but his effect will be felt throught the careers of some of young players.

In hindsight, his selection was a no-brainer.

 

[Philster]

Well said Total...I go to Training quite a bit and I watch him closely, and there is no doubt about him having a positive effect on the younger guys. One time he,Jacko,Axel and Bling were doing stretches close to the fence, I couldnt hear exactly what he ws saying, but they were listening and taking in what he had to say.
Jacko especially seems to be enjoying Cuz,and said so in the Sun on Sunday...in his words, "It's not so much what he does on the field, although he still has it, it's what he gives us off field, he took the midfield and had a good chat to them about football and what it meant to him".....geeez if that doesnt spark em up nothing would.

On another note, I cant get over Robert Walls dislike of him....geeez it comes over very bad.....lighten up Robert for christs sake!!!

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

Well said TT.

I was one of those against getting him, but now am happy we did, and hope like hell he is there next year.

 

[TOT70]

I hope that the new coach in 2010 has the courage, not only to keep Ben Cousins on the list, but to make the decision to appoint him the Captain for 2010.

I was not really sold on the idea of recruiting RBR but was more than happy to see him in a Tigers jumper, especially after the spike in memberships that he caused, figuring that we would ahead on the deal, even before he played a game.

Having now seen him play several games for the club, it is obvious that he has not lost any of his leadership qualities and he is beginning to grow into the role of elder statesman and role model to a young, enthusiastic group.

We have a unique opportunity to complete the circle of redemption and finally bring success to this club.

 

[theglove3]

I hope that the new coach in 2010 has the courage, not only to keep Ben Cousins on the list, but to make the decision to appoint him the Captain for 2010.

I was not really sold on the idea of recruiting RBR but was more than happy to see him in a Tigers jumper, especially after the spike in memberships that he caused, figuring that we would ahead on the deal, even before he played a game.

Having now seen him play several games for the club, it is obvious that he has not lost any of his leadership qualities and he is beginning to grow into the role of elder statesman and role model to a young, enthusiastic group.

We have a unique opportunity to complete the circle of redemption and finally bring success to this club.

Good stuff TOT!
You don't work for Merchandise Dept do you?
After cleaning up on the old Tivva jumper sales (32), you reckon give him 17 to have everyone buy that one as well?
Great marketing tactic! :hihi

Seriously, he would make a good Captain I think.
Newie has tried hard but let's be honest it's an indictment on our quality of leaders (or lack of) that he got the gig!

 

[TOT70]

Good stuff TOT!
You don't work for Merchandise Dept do you?
After cleaning up on the old Tivva jumper sales (32), you reckon give him 17 to have everyone buy that one as well?
Great marketing tactic! :hihi

Seriously, he would make a good Captain I think.
Newie has tried hard but let's be honest it's an indictment on our quality of leaders (or lack of) that he got the gig!

There is nothing like thinking outside the square.

 

[Tagger]

Fully agree he has been a great asset both on and off the field.
Hopefully Cuz and some of the emerging younger guys can rid the Club of a lot of the selfish behaviour that has been a problem onfield over the last few years.

Many of the old brigade have been woefull in not providing the shepard or block for their teammates.
Cousins seems keen to encourage the team plays and one percenters.I really hope he succeeds.

 

[mexican_radio]

I'm very happy with the decision to draft Ben Cousins for several reasons. There's not much point praising the decision here though because you will be drowned out by the youth policy advocates.

 

[Tigers of Old]

There's not much point praising the decision here though because you will be drowned out by the youth policy advocates.

I'd say it's quite the opposite actually.
Just stating a different opinion MexRad.

 

[Tigers2011]

He's been excellent. Should be offered another year as a player and review again at the end of 2010. When he retires, we should really look to retain him in a midfield coaching role - great acquisition.

 

[TIGEREXTRA]

Been fantastic.

Great choice to draft him.

You can tell that the young blokes really look up to him.

 

[Al Bundy]

Saturday was the first time I had been to a game with Ben Cousins in the team so I spent a fair bit of time watching him (not hard - I'm a hetrosexual woman). I've seen some TV footage on how he directs the game, but I didn't realise just how much he does it. He was directing players at centre bounces from outside the square, around the ground and even in the last minute telling McGuane and Moore to milk the clock and pointing to who to kick it to.

It seems like the media are looking for him to have a 35+ possesion game and kick the match winning goal before they'll give him much credit (and Robert Walls still wouldn't), but those days are behind him. He's not on the ground enough. Where we are benefitting the most from Cousins in the teaching he is giving our players, especially on game day. It was like having a playing assistant coach in the team. He might only go on for 1 or maybe 2 more years, but his effect will be felt throught the careers of some of young players.

In hindsight, his selection was a no-brainer.

:clap good post and when you also hear awhile back from our Capt support that he plays on next year because of similar reasons. Really, when you consider all the positive impact he has had to the club, anyone asking for is axing at years end really doesn't know what they are talking about imo.

Hope the powers that be move quickly to resign him for another yr with an option for a following year.

I draw comparisson with Robert Harvey that he will surprise many & truly believe he play on for another 3-4 years

 

[mexican_radio]

I'd say it's quite the opposite actually.
Just stating a different opinion MexRad.

And I am stating my opinion. Multiple threads on this board end up being deluged by the tankers and de-listers. It's one thing to have different opinions and discuss them, it's another to be constantly referred to as "deluded ferals" because we enjoyed seeing something positive happen on the field.

Nobody is suggesting we build the entire team and gameplan around Ben Cousins. All I see here (
in this thread) is acknowledgment of some on-field leadership and positive signs of a premiership/brownlow level player transferring something useful on to our youth.

 

[Tigers of Old]

All I see here (in this thread) is acknowledgment of some on-field leadership and positive signs of a premiership/brownlow level player transferring something useful on to our youth.

and that's fair enough too. The recruitment is providing some benefit for sure.

 

[Mr Brightside]

Amazing watching a true champion in the yellow an black,

 

[Tiger74]

and that's fair enough too. The recruitment is providing some benefit for sure.

One of the sad aspects of the club is something you alluded to in another thread. We have other 30+ guys, why are we only talking about keeping Cousins for junior development?

Looking at these threads, only Joel has been mentioned in this capacity (to be fair to Kane, his body had the decision on him). No-one has mentioned any mentoring or educational value we have had from Simmonds, Brown, or Richo (from the supporters view anyway - may be different in reality inside the club). Granted not every player is a teacher, but it has surprised me how much Cousins stands out in this aspect compared to the others.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Granted not every player is a teacher, but it has surprised me how much Cousins stands out in this aspect compared to the others.

I guess because he offers an outside perspective and is a former premiership player/Brownlow medalist.
When you've done it all, folks listen.

 

[Tiger74]

I guess because he offers an outside perspective and is a former premiership player/Brownlow medalist.
When you've done it all, folks listen.

I wonder though if its also the type of guy. Caro said on Sunday some WCE players have privately told her Cousins was a better on field leader than Judd, so Cuz had the tools before he got here.

When have you heard a young RFC player going on about how Brown has been invaluable in helping them understand how to play a certain role, or the rucks doing similar for Simmonds?

Don't think its necessarily selfishness, but probably the problem of being in a struggling club you tend to look after number 1 first.

 

[Tigers of Old]

When have you heard a young RFC player going on about how Brown has been invaluable in helping them understand how to play a certain role.

Actually I heard Morton do it just this season interestingly enough but clearly that's not enough reason for NGB to stay another year.
Personally I think how the player themselves is performing is far more important than advice given.
You've got to be holding your own. Cousins is certainly doing that right now.

 

[Leysy Days]

Actually I heard Morton do it just this season interestingly enough but clearly that's not enough reason for him to stay another year.

& browny doesn't follow up any words with the correct "team first" actions on the field either.