News broke last night (25th November) a few days before the 2008 AFL National Draft that St Kilda the favourites to see Ben Cousins back into the game back down and reject the opportunity to draft him.
St Kilda now fall into the same category of Collingwood by making noise to recruit him and all of a sudden without warning say NO. We all know Ben Cousins would be a risk to have on any AFL list but surely Cousins and his management deserve to be treated better than this.
The Saints’ statement announcing their decision not to sign Cousins did not, however, outline any reasons.
Fraser said the review of the Cousins issue would remain confidential.
Quoted from St Kilda reject Ben Cousins
Grant Thomas one of the most outspoken and idiotic ex-coach ever, usually has a lot to say. I would have to agree with him hear. I wonder how much the ‘old’ party culture and having Michael Gardiner on the list had to with the decision.
“I don’t think the media frenzy that would have gone along with it would do St Kilda, of all teams, any good.”
“I think the last thing St Kilda footy club needs in this stage of its evolution is a widely publicised situation such as this…
“It might be OK for a team that has won a few premierships, but for St Kilda’s situation and history, and where they currently are, it’s not right.
“They’ve got a big job, the Saints. They’re delicately poised and I don’t think they need it.
So does Ben Cousins have any chance of playing in 2009?
- Collingwood has hired a detective and said no with no official reason.
- West Coast has twice said no, despite petitions etc.
- Kangaroos has said no with the threat of loosing a major sponsor.
- Brisbane has said no due to board and sponsor concerns (but are still interested).
- Adelaide has said no with fears of their mistake of recruiting Carey in 2002 happening again.
- and now St Kilda again with no official reason.
But does he have a chance to be recruited? St Kilda was the real hot chance but with them saying NO it does not look likely. I do think he has a lot to offer to any club that either needs an established midfielder to rebuild and be an (football) example or needs another midfielder to push for a premiership chance.
Brisbane could be an option as they do need to stay competitive with the new Gold Coast team coming but do they really need another mature midfielder with the recruit of Travis Johnstone last year? Teams like Essendon, Melbourne and Richmond could do with a player to help their young midfielders but I doubt it with most clubs recruiting kids to build for a premiership.
What is interesting though is that since he started training with the WA Perth football club the senior side lost the majority of their games.
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December 12th, 2008 at 5:46 am
On the evening of the 26th November, Kevin Sheedy used the Q & A session at a Richmond dinner for Tom Hafey to publicly address Richmond about their reluctance to try getting Ben Cousins. A few days ago I heard that Richmond are now looking to rookie-list Graham Polak and it’s been speculated that they may then try to secure Ben Cousins. Did Sheedy’s words have some effect?
December 15th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I am sure Sheedys words had a great effect on the club. Who would not listen to him??
Thanks for your comments and look forward to seeing more of you around hear
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