18th November is the day when Ben Cousins meets with the AFL and the decision on whether he comes back to AFL next year happens. While he has only played 6 or 7 games in the last two years he is one of the most talked about footballers and it wont stop yet.
The only thing that is certain is that he wont play for the West Coast Eagles again, even after a massive online petition that saw the Eagles boss publicly say he wont be back. Collingwood was in the market until they realised that Didak and Cousins in the same club would not be the smartest idea.
Now it looks like Cousins will join his ex-party buddy in Gardiner (who surprisingly was kept on the Saints list) at St Kilda. However in the last few days Brisbane has also loomed as a likely club who would look to recruit him.
Cousins ready to erupt like a Volcano?
Ricky Nixon has just recently stated that Cousins is like a Volcano due to the stress. Now I am no drug or addiction expert but surely this cannot be a good thing?
The amount of stress everybody’s under is coming to (a point where) it’s almost volcanic at the moment and it’s not far off exploding,
Nixon told Melbourne’s SEN radio.
Cousins plan of action
More quotes from his manager Ricky Nixon (btw why are all the bad players managed by him?)
If he wants to then nominate for the draft, he’ll have to do that, the national draft’s on November 29 and the pre-season draft, for uncontracted players, is on December 16.
Ben actually can by-pass the national draft, that will be his choice, and that will come down to whichever clubs are interested in him, what tactics they want to employ to try to get him.
Nixon again.
Update: Ben Cousins did not nominate for the November 29 national draft so now he will be picked up in the December 16 pre season draft.
Should Cousins be allowed to play & would you want him at your club?
Yes I would like to see him return if:
- He is clean
- Has restrictions on him by the club
- Regular drug testing and monitoring by the club and the AFL.
I think however that the latest remarks about him being under huge amounts of stress and likely to erupt would signal alarm bells to Brisbane and St Kilda.
If you are a supporter of Brisbane or St Kilda, do you want him at your club next year? Would you risk recruiting a recovering drug addict 30 year old player who risks breaking down like in his last game?
Update On the Ben Cousins Circus - 13th November
Ben has now passed his first test - the urine - showing he has had no drugs in his system. The next test is the hair sample test which apparently will tell if he has touched drugs in the last three months (what are the chances he went on another bender 3.5 weeks ago?).
Update 18th November: AFL’s Decision
He has been cleared and re-registered as a player who is allowed to play for an AFL club next year (which wont be the Eagles). However he has a lot of restrictions on him, which is not surprising and good luck to him.
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November 12th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Well if he is under the stress the Nixon is talking about and he get’s past it then it would be a great indication of where he is at. I still reckon Clubs would be made not to entertain the idea of having him play, obviously with some restrictions. I would sure love to see him play again, his gut busting running was the best in the comp.
He certainly has my vote to come to the Bombers ! Although Matthew Knights seems to have other ideas.
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November 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I agree that he will be such a bonus to more clubs than just Brisbane and St Kilda fully fit and ready to play. His gut busting runs saved and helped the Eagles so many times and if you have a club with a young midfield (like Essendon) he would be invaluable.
I also think he could well fit nicely in these other clubs:
- Adelaide: Craig however does not like old farts.
- Richmond
- Melbourne
- Kangaroos: Could do well with a marque player and could help Wells and co
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November 13th, 2008 at 6:05 am
The first thing to remember is that talent doesn’t go away. Cousins showed enough in his last half dozen games for the Weagles to demonstrate, yet again, that he can play.
As we’ve discussed previously Jermayn, culture is the intangible that will make or break Cousins’ return. A strong club that promotes good values will get the best from him. A pressure-cooker public environment like Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide will create potential for problems. Sydney have a history of calming wayward souls and, like Brisbane, is an NRL town so that would remove some public pressure.
I think he’ll make a success of his return if he’s given a chance and we’ll all be marvelling at how good he is after so little football.
On Ricky Nixon, I think those high-profile players with a few difficulties see him as advocating strongly for his charges in the public areana, rather than simply doing the backroom deals at contract time. I don’t think Ricky is a magnet for these types: rather that his management style and contacts suit the higher=profile, edgier clients.
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November 13th, 2008 at 8:16 am
You do raise a good point aussierulesblog that the clubs culture would be very important. So would this count out ST Kilda with their party image and Gardiner on the same list?
I have no doubt that Cousins would make an impact for which ever team he gets picked up by. Again the only issue I would see is his history of soft tissue injury.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Not being an insider at the Saints (or anywhere else for that matter), I wouldn’t know to what extent Gardiner has ‘behaved’, but I would have thought a reunion might not be the best thing for either player or the club. It’d certainly be a big call for Lyon to take him on. Roos would seem to be the more natural fit, with Voss a totally unknown quantity at this juncture.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..International Rules a crock
November 14th, 2008 at 7:57 am
But does Roos need another 30+ year old player? Shaw is 27 but that still means they could easily get 60+ games out of him. Cousins you may only get 30-40 games.
Voss looks like he is wanting to top up (like Freo tried) with Davis and Cousins, for a tilt at finals, guess Brisbane needs to be competitive to hold sponsors and fans when the Gold Coast come in.
In regards to Gardiner, im surprised he was kept, Saints delisted better and more promising players imo. I have not seen a good game from Gardiner for 5+ years…
November 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Not discounting your observation on soft tissue injuries, Cousins hasn’t played much recently, so he’s perhaps equivalent to a 27-28 year-old physically. With some luck and skillful management he could easily contribute 100 games. The big plus, as I’m sure we’d all readily agree, is his on-field nouse and leadership and damaging effectiveness of possessions. By that last, I contrast his effectiveness with Robert Harvey, who didn’t, in my opinion, hurt oppositions with his possessions. When Cousins gets the ball, something VERY positive generally follows.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..International Rules a crock
November 16th, 2008 at 10:09 am
In theory I would agree with you.
However how many players have made a successful return after a good two years out from the game? However If anyone can do it, Cousins could….
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November 17th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Will he double up as a runner on game day??
November 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Interesting blog.In theory i agree with you.How ever,if any one can do it,cousins could…
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November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
The AFL has now decided he can be recruited by another club…
http://diehardfooty.com/ben-cousins-cleared-to-play-again-by-the-afl
November 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
All the talk about Cousins maybe not coming back because of all the restrictions was the biggest load of hot water I’ve ever heard - merely a ploy by Nixon to try and get better terms for his man.
As you said over on my blog - he’s either clean, or he’s not, and no amount of restrictions or testing is going to make a difference.
He’ll be back, just a matter of who’s prepared to take him on
Tristans last blog post..Ben Cousins may abandon the comeback
November 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Pretty dubious imo that he got his hair cut short when having to give his hair sample. smart move by the AFL to give him these restrictions and to also make sure his hair is long enough for a drug test, 3cm or longer….
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December 23rd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Good luck with your new venture for both cousins. I may be need your services at some point in the future. Thanks for sharing…
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