Toigs trying a shifty

[Redleg 41,398]

How times change......

But they can still select Cousins, put Polak on the long term injury list (which was going to happen), and then promote a rookie anyway, right?

Right.

[e25 5]

This is a great day for football ... dont know whether to laugh or cry.

Feel sorry for Polak used as a pawn. Tigers fans about to become ferrel.

What a great day it is.

Can Gourdis sue ... for breach of contract if Tigers do take Cousins?

breach of what contract???

Gourdis would need a contract to breach

[Whispering_Jack 30,573]

The problem is that Richmond probably needed Polak out of the way and on the rookie list in order to free up room in their salary cap to pay Cousins.

It would be best if they can work out a way to get him under the existing rules and without recriminations against the AFL which ruled correctly on this issue. It's simply not fair to the competition to change the ground rules in the 11th hour of a draft period.

[QueenC 74]

Right.

Cheers !!!

[hoopla 418]

The AFL was right.

If Richmond want Cousins they can take him. Then they can take their preferred youngster as a rookie and promote him to to the senior list while Polak is on the long term injury list... unless of course someone like Melbourne snaffles their preferred kid up first ( as per normal draft order)

Richmond have no grounds for complaint.

( As for us - the only reason I'd think about Cousins would be if he'd bring us a generous sponsor. Otherwise he'd just keep a promising youngster out of the side while we develop a list)

[dee-luded 2,959]

The problem is that Richmond probably needed Polak out of the way and on the rookie list in order to free up room in their salary cap to pay Cousins.

It would be best if they can work out a way to get him under the existing rules and without recriminations against the AFL which ruled correctly on this issue. It's simply not fair to the competition to change the ground rules in the 11th hour of a draft period.

All you say is fair enough Jack C, but there is one thing I want to know of you?

Do you want cousins playing AFL footy for season 2009?

[Rogue 585]

How times change......

But they can still select Cousins, put Polak on the long term injury list (which was going to happen), and then promote a rookie anyway, right?

Yep.

It's just that they don't want to miss out on the young kid they've earmarked for the PSD.

[Whispering_Jack 30,573]

Do you want cousins playing AFL footy for season 2009?

Not if it's detrimental to his well being in the long run.

None of us know how his recovery from the problems he's experienced over recent years is going. My professional experience in dealing with people with drug addiction is limited but I know it's something that is very rarely overcome in the short space of a year.

Richmond's the only club that's prepared to take a punt on him and I think they've handled this poorly. The linking of the Cousins drafting with the Polak issue was a mistake in my opinion. If they weren't going to take him come what may, they should never have taken the path that they did. Their supporters were sold the dream of a champion 30/31 year old Brownlow Medallist midfielder coming to their club and making the difference between being also rans and strong finals contenders. It was the same dream that was sold previously to St. Kilda fans and shattered, ditto with Collingwood before that. I somehow don't think the reality was ever going to match the dream but it sure would be interesting to find out (but only if he is over his addiction).

And if he was 100% how could you not want to see him or any other great athlete perform at the highest level (except when they play against us)?

[Swampfox 190]

Richmond havent made a good decision since they swapped Billy Barrot for Ian Stewart

I expect that trend to continue

No idea who we will pick at #1 but it wont be Cousins

[dee-luded 2,959]

Not if it's detrimental to his well being in the long run.

None of us know how his recovery from the problems he's experienced over recent years is going. My professional experience in dealing with people with drug addiction is limited but I know it's something that is very rarely overcome in the short space of a year.

Richmond's the only club that's prepared to take a punt on him and I think they've handled this poorly. The linking of the Cousins drafting with the Polak issue was a mistake in my opinion. If they weren't going to take him come what may, they should never have taken the path that they did. Their supporters were sold the dream of a champion 30/31 year old Brownlow Medallist midfielder coming to their club and making the difference between being also rans and strong finals contenders. It was the same dream that was sold previously to St. Kilda fans and shattered, ditto with Collingwood before that. I somehow don't think the reality was ever going to match the dream but it sure would be interesting to find out (but only if he is over his addiction).

And if he was 100% how could you not want to see him or any other great athlete perform at the highest level (except when they play against us)?

It seems to me that anyone who is struggling & turns to synthetic highs to help them feel good is in the shyte.

Once you lose faith with your dreams, & then (people) you pass up on all forward momentum, (inspiration), from there it's a quick slip downhill, usually to whatever vices you've allready experienced.

This is why he needs more than anything to be given another chance to hang onto his dreams & get more healthy.

If he slips up after being given another go, at least the footy world has done the right thing.

So what about some corporate bruise, is our society so pathetic as to push people off their precarious perch, like so much compost?

Karma, what goes around comes back around, what we offer, we recieve back.

[davey_magik 1]

Rumor has it another club is strongly considering taking Ben tomorrow, and it isn't Richmond.

Have a guess who.

[mo64 5,880]

Rumor has it another club is strongly considering taking Ben tomorrow, and it isn't Richmond.

Have a guess who.

East Fremantle.

[davey_magik 1]

Try cousins2watts.

[e25 5]

Try cousins2watts.

who told you the rumour, YM ?

[davey_magik 1]

who told you the rumour, YM ?

DM, not YM.

Was reported on 774 earlier today.

Seriously doubt it. I'd love to have him, but we won't take him.

[old55 23,687]

The problem is that Richmond probably needed Polak out of the way and on the rookie list in order to free up room in their salary cap to pay Cousins.

Assuming Cousins believes he's in a position to be paid more than say Gourdis - I think his market value is low on the demand side.

[e25 5]

DM, not YM.

Was reported on 774 earlier today.

Seriously doubt it. I'd love to have him, but we won't take him.

No, did YM tell you the rumour..? don't worry mate