Ben's Back

[The Great Pretender 430]

A report in today's Herald Sun suggests that Ben Cousins will restart his return to the AFL by registering to play with a VFL side in the next few days - Ben Cousins takes first step to AFL return.

I'm just wondering how an AFL club would go about drafting him. Is he available in the National Draft or wouldd he have to go through the PSD?

Should we look at him as a player over 2 or 3 years to help the development of our team - assuming he's cleared of all signs of his previous problems.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I was wondering if we can even pick him up, seeing as though we have no affiliation with a VFL club next year isn't it?

[grazman 6,544]

A report in today's Herald Sun suggests that Ben Cousins will restart his return to the AFL by registering to play with a VFL side in the next few days - Ben Cousins takes first step to AFL return.

Damn. I assumed you were talking about Holland, who would be a handy inclusion in the forward line this week.

[The Great Pretender 430]

Damn. I assumed you were talking about Holland, who would be a handy inclusion in the forward line this week.

I call that one Benny

I think Benny Holland has been captured by aliens and won't be seen on any AFL ground in the near or distant future.

[Homer J 0]

I was wondering if we can even pick him up, seeing as though we have no affiliation with a VFL club next year isn't it?

Casey Scorpions from next year

[Neita3000 37]

Off Season Plans

Trade 3rd round pick for Warnock

Pick up Daniel Rich with #1

Select Ben Cousins with #1 pick in PSD

Delist: Anyone over the age of 28 bar James McDonald, Ben Holland and Brad Green

FB: Frawley Warnock McDonald

HB: Rivers Garland Green

C: Davey McLean Rich

HF: Sylvia Miller Bate

FF: Wonnemiri Robertson Maric

R: Warnock Jones Cousins

I: Spencer, Bartram, Dunn, Morton

That side could play finals in 09

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

So we draft Ben Cousins then delist him as he is over 28 and not in your little list

Sorry I could not resist

[The Emblem 1]

Ben Cousins... a poor man's Jack Grimes

Oh Sh1te, thats right...I haven't seen Jack play yet!

But still, its probably true...Ben is yesterday's papers!

[Timmuns 16]

na I'd love to see Cousins in the red and the blue it'd be awesome, I think he could have a positive influence on the club.

.... .... If he joins a VFL club, do we want him to go with Sandy or Casey then? Or it wouldn't really matter would it? (in terms of next year) imagine if he went to Sandy - Cousins racking up 38 possessions and delivering the ball superbly to Sautner, who would go on to kick a bag of 10 every week lol that would be great.

[Rogue 585]

I was wondering if we can even pick him up, seeing as though we have no affiliation with a VFL club next year isn't it?

The affiliation is irrelevant.

If you're talking about this season, we're affiliated with Sandringham (not that he could play for the Dees if in our VFL affiliate side).

If you're talking about next season, if he's to return to AFL he'll go in the draft and anyone will be able to pick him up (regardless of their affiliation or lackthereof).

[Yencks 8]

i think that he could be a good inclusion into our side and we could move him into the forward line to postpone his career

[Brocky 4]

i think that he could be a good inclusion into our side and we could move him into the forward line to postpone his career

I think his career has already been postponed.....

[The Emblem 1]

I think his career has already been postponed.....

But any move to prolong his career by playing Cousin's in the forward pocket would be in effect postponing Wonaemirri's and Maric's careers

It's also a huge risk playing Ben that close to a white line!

[H_T 2,941]

I think his career has already been postponed.....

A total waste of time money and effort. He'll break down at 30-31. Too much risk. Freo might be after him.

[dazzledavey36 48,980]

i dont care how much eccys cousins take, as log as he plays for us and wins us games!

get him!

[The Emblem 1]

i dont care how much eccys cousins take, as log as he plays for us and wins us games!

get him!

To do what?

Turns 30 on Monday, hasn't played at the senior level for some time now, and when he last did he tore a hamstring.

He is AFL history, not MFC future.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

Do we give him the famous # 9 to wear?

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

I wouldn't touch him & I gather that most sides won't.

[RickyBobby 0]

I'd have Ben Cousins in my team any day of the week even at his age he is a quality player and even last year when he actually did play showed no signs of slowing down or being past it, anyone recall his comeback game when he got over 30 touches.

The way people go on about his off-field problems you would think he murdered someone, the bloke had a problem and by all reports he had made efforts to address those problems being out of WA would only help him as well. I think Cousins would still have 2 to 3 years quality service in him and is one of the most naturally talented footballers of the past decade.

Having said that I don't think he fits in with where we are at in going forward and don't think we would pick him up, but I certainly wouldn't be up in arms if the club decided he was worth a punt.

[Hards 2]

I'd take him.

Aside from the fact that he's obviously going to be fit and determined, and the club would do the proper checks to make sure his health is right from his recovery, imagine the windfall from the publicity his arrival would bring. We'd be on Friday nights, the membership would grow (both with him on board then from the extra exposure), merchandise would be sold, it'd get people talking about the Dees.

I said a similar thing about getting Sheedy as coach, and I still think we did the wrong thing in not offering him the job (which is nothing against Dean Bailey, but it was an opportunity we just had to take given our off field position). Cousins is a bit in the same boat. For what we'd give up to get him (next to bugger all), what we'd be paying him (minimum salary), and that we have cap room given retirements/delistings/trades at the end of 06, 07 and again at the end of this year, it'd be well worth it.

The conservatives on here won't like that opinion, but I reckon it's a no brainer.

[45HG 1,539]

What message would it send a rebuilding club building on youth, to draft a 30 year old who hasn't played footy in over a year?

[Hannabal 4]

He won't want to play with Melbourne as he'll want a chance at a flag, but I'd be happy for him to rub shoulders with some young Dees at Sandy and show them the meaning of work ethic.

He also played with Chopper Lovell for 3 years at WC.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

what the hotgod said.

Will still be a very good player next year at AFL level but doubt that Melbourne would draft him because of his age and secondly Benny would be after another flag. Collingwood, maybe the Hawks would be closer to the money.

[bjgc 0]

I would only pick him up in the PSD and that is only if Warnock(1st choice) or Hansen(2nd choice) are not available. His work ethic will be a benefit for our young midfielders but his age and lack of football work against him.

[WonnaJurah 5]

Melbourne

"No interest at the Melbourne Football Club, we're focused on the age group of 18 to 22." - football manager Chris Connolly