ST KILDA DECIDES NOT TO PROCEED WITH BEN COUSINS

[saint66au]

This time last year Fraser Gehrig was re-drafted. We all screamed in joy, danced the happy dance. Here was a potential 100 goal player returning to the fold for a useless draft pick. Was gonna take us to that 2nd flag on the back of another century of goals..nothing surer

Worked out great didnt it.

I very much doubt Ben Cousins will be drafted now, so I guess we'll never know for sure what might have been..but..I sure as hell know that if anything had gone wrong with Ben's season, we'd have had another 10 page thread full of people threatening to throw away their memberships and overthrow the board for taking a foolish stupid ill-advised risk

Nothing surer

Some people are only happy when theyve got something to grizzle about

[Iceman234]

The club hyped it up to every little inch without saying no.

There was no hype from the club... The only hype was from uninformed and uneducated supporters.

The club has made their decision... now move on. We have a premiership to win in 2009!

All the positive press interviews?

All the leaking to papers about how we met him at some seaford cafe...

No hype whatsoever?

LOL you answered yourself.

Leaks, press, leaks, harlots, forum leaks, lol

What actually came driectly from the club except for the fact we were doing due diligence and conversing with him....

[SaintDippa]

Just as an aside. Ever wonder why Collingwood, who my mail were dead keen, pulled out after the PI report?

Disappointed? Little.

Correct Decision? IMO - Yes. Too much downside.

[sainter35]

[
As someone mentioned... X Clarke Snr passed away to day. Get some perspective people. FFS!

How about YOU and that someone stop being so disrespectful and dare insinuate that those of us who are not happy with the decision that has been made are somehow not sympathetic to the Clarke family.

Grow up

[chook23]

This time last year Fraser Gehrig was re-drafted. We all screamed in joy, danced the happy dance. Here was a potential 100 goal player returning to the fold for a useless draft pick. Was gonna take us to that 2nd flag on the back of another century of goals..nothing surer

Worked out great didnt it.

I very much doubt Ben Cousins will be drafted now, so I guess we'll never know for sure what might have been..but..I sure as hell know that if anything had gone wrong with Ben's season, we'd have had another 10 page thread full of people threatening to throw away their memberships and overthrow the board for taking a foolish stupid ill-advised risk

Nothing surer



Some people are only happy when theyve got something to grizzle about

including yourself

[WayneJudson42]

Can't wait to see him ripping all the teams that said no, (including us), a new a-hole next year.

I hope to god he gets the chance to play with Brisbane next year, deserves a shot and i'm sure if he gets it he'll deliver.

So you are also happy to see all the other de-listed players we have said no to, ripping us a new a-hole.

Re-ass ess where your loyalties are.

Can't even say he's gone, move on.

He was NEVER here.

He basically was.

The club hyped it up to every little inch without saying no.

They had several meetings with him, in cafe's, in restaurants...the team captain said basically said he would like to play with him.

Go figure why 80% of the board is extremely dissapointed, it's because the club built it up and then destroyed it with an anti-climax.

The club, if it truly didn't want him because of 'youth' issues, shouldn't have had the need to pursue him this aggressively.
Do they do it to every player they think about recruiting? No.

Sook.

FFS, the club looked into him for 5 farking months and left no stone untruned. If it was that simple, we'd have a different outcome.

So does reviewing a player as a potential recruit mean that the club made a commitment??? No it does NOT.

The reason it took so long was because of the BC's circumstaces and history. If he was a cleanskin, it would not have taken so bloody long.

Special case... special approach required.

You and others are blaming the club for your own dissapointment, regardless of the reasons (which we do not know) why they gave the thumbs down.

The reaction has been nothing short of immature, ridiculous, and downright stupid IMO.

17 farken pages of sh1t for BC? Give me a break, ffs.

Hopefully the reasons why will come out, and common sense prevails. Then I'd like to see everyone line up to apologise to the club and fellow supporters.

As someone mentioned... X Clarke Snr passed away to day. Get some perspective people. FFS!

If the actual reasons come out, i will apologise. I'll send a bloody letter.

They won't, They never do.

The club spent 5 months checking a player out, probably told players to make positive statements about this club in the press, then at the end of it all...said he is too old to recruit.

Mate, get real. If and I say IF there are circumstances that involve BC's lifestyle, what would you expect them to say?

Sure tell us all. And make statements that are tantamount to allegations and libel.

Yep, just what we need... another lawsuit.

Blind Freddie can see that the official line is just that... a line.

[saintbrat]

Just as an aside. Ever wonder why Collingwood, who my mail were dead keen, pulled out after the PI report?

Disappointed? Little.

Correct Decision? IMO - Yes. Too much downside.

reinforced by Karl Langdon tonight
who also said Ben had Not given up ALL his old 'contacts.......

[Moccha]

Good decision. The board acted in the clubs best interests. 14 other clubs couldn't be wrong. Let him go to Brisbane. He's really not worth the risk.

[Enrico_Misso]

EXCELLENT decision by the Board.

My faith in them is restored.
The last thing this club needs is Ben Cousins.

This drug riddled criminal piece of low life garbage can rot in the gutter.
He is NOT the role model or inspiration that we need.

Well done again to the Board who have shown real leadership.
GO SAINTS !

This is what we missed out on ....

[vacuous space]

...Hitler...

Godwin's law!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_Law

[SENsei]

After all the build up, seems a strange decision.

Maybe we've dodged a bullet?

Maybe it could've been a close shave.



There's more to BC shaving his head to avoid the hair test than you might think, IMO.

[Iceman234]

I don't know all the facts but I have faith in our Board.

Most Germans had faith in Hitler...

But he wasnt on the money..

Good 2nd post Caro...

I didnt realise the number of posts I had against my name made reference to how passionate I am about this club...

I think the club were in a great position to take someone who could add a great deal to our midfield...

Just a dissapointed member... Like most I guess...

They don't but when u rip out your second post as you did, you open yourself up.

I'm certainly not a disappointed member and welcome, you'll find there are heaps here who are good solid members who won't threaten to rip up their memberships.

I'm locked in for 09.

[Richter]

Then..after 7-10 days we have a lil poll, just like the members scarf voting really..Benny YES or NO. Majority rules

Interesting one, a referendum on Ben.....

Well, national referenda are held on MORAL issues.

If not recruiting Benny was a MORAL one then perhaps a referendum would be a reasonable way to go. I have no faith in the board to make ethincal decisions better than me - in fact I reckon I've made far more than the average punter in my professional life.

If not recruiting Benny was a football decision...... well fair enough.... my view is only an opinion.... in that case I expect to be given more information from the club about why this is so as many - including Harves, Nick Riewoldt if what we read in the papers is to be believed - disagree with this.

If not recruting Benny was a "commercial" one - then fair dinkum the name of this board who stood on the platform of FOOTY FIRST is now mud in my eyes. To think that bending over for a bunch of American door manufacturers is put ahead of the members wishes to make the team a better chance to win a flag - NOT HAPPY JAN.

Whichever of the above, I expect more information to be forthcoming fairly soon.....

.... or else? Well, or else nothing.... I'm still a Sainter.... nothing changes that.... I just won't walk as tall or feel as proud to support this great club as I might have done......

[FortiusQuoFidelius]

The club hyped it up to every little inch without saying no.

There was no hype from the club... The only hype was from uninformed and uneducated supporters.

The club has made their decision... now move on. We have a premiership to win in 2009!

All the positive press interviews?

All the leaking to papers about how we met him at some seaford cafe...

No hype whatsoever?

The club only ever said thety were undertaking "due diligence". If you think thats hype then perhaps you need to buy a dictionary!

As for the "positive press interviews" if you believe the press the you are most certainly one of the uneducated I am referring to!

[BAM! (shhhh)]

Things I'm going to wonder for a while:

- Do people really believe Ben Cousins would be the first addict/reforming addict to play? The media may be out to get him, but oh what could have been... we haven't had a midfielder play at the level Cousins was 14 months ago since Hayes did his knee.

-Was this a righteous decision, or a decision made from genuine concern? Righteousness as a virtue has always struck me as mutton dressed as lamb.

- What was the risk? Seriously, we're talking pick 83 or something like that. If the decision is/was "not for a 3rd" then fine, there's merit to that, but just what does the club expect to achieve as a result of this? Even if pick 83 turned out to be the next Hird I'd call it poor. The club just folded pocket Queens.

I envy those with faith in the club over this decision. I wish I had that faith... but these guys (the board) have been in for a year, and haven't done anything to earn my trust at this stage. Time proving them right would be the kind of thing that would start to earn my trust, but right now, I think we've just looked a gift horse in the mouth.

[st.byron]

The club hyped it up to every little inch without saying no.

There was no hype from the club... The only hype was from uninformed and uneducated supporters.

The club has made their decision... now move on. We have a premiership to win in 2009!

Sensible perspective FQF. The club itself has created zero hype. Lots of media and supporter hype, but the club's done nothing but play a dead bat all along. Personally I'm disappointed but the club's done the homework. Have been satisfied with all of the list management decisions since the end of the season (thought Birss was a bit unlucky) so will support this one. All the hype surrounding BC aside, I reckon Lyon and his team have a plan and are going about implementing it. Sticking with them.

[brewski]

This is a weak and pathetic decision by the board, Westaway = k Rudd all talk and then goes to piss when the heats on.
We are a fair way off Hawthorn and Geelong at the moment and we have an opportunity to pick up an elite midfielder for SFA
a guy how can kick goals, get about 30 possies a game deliver the ball lace out everytime (he and Judd won a flag almost of their own bat with no real west coast forwards, image roo and kosi getting delivery like that)and hes got a bit of mongrel in him (which we need) every time he played against us he ripped us a new asshole! sure he's a risk but what are we paying for him? F#$king nothing a late draft pick, stop putting these guys on pedestals they are footballers i could give a damn if he needs some blow to go out his front door or cranks off to animal porn, he is there to play footy and what these guys do in their private lives got nothing to do with it.
If the sponsor has had some say in this then i too will and let my friends know to totally boycott their product, im sick of my club bending over and taking it in ass by AFL, sponsors, everyone..... someone down their please stand up and fight for us, we are a joke!

Very pissed off, dont care what they say but our club has been pumping this up, they give us an early christmas present and then rip out straight back out of our hands.

Grow some balls saints board, be leaders, not followers

[Devilhead]

This is a weak and pathetic decision by the board, Westaway = k Rudd all talk and then goes to piss when the heats on.
We are a fair way off Hawthorn and Geelong at the moment and we have an opportunity to pick up an elite midfielder for SFA
a guy how can kick goals, get about 30 possies a game deliver the ball lace out everytime (he and Judd won a flag almost of their own bat with no real west coast forwards, image roo and kosi getting delivery like that)and hes got a bit of mongrel in him (which we need) every time he played against us he ripped us a new asshole! sure he's a risk but what are we paying for him? F#$king nothing a late draft pick, stop putting these guys on pedestals they are footballers i could give a damn if he needs some blow to go out his front door or cranks off to animal porn, he is there to play footy and what these guys do in their private lives got nothing to do with it.If the sponsor has had some say in this then i too will and let my friends know to totally boycott their product, im sick of my club bending over and taking it in ass by AFL, sponsors, everyone..... someone down their please stand up and fight for us, we are a joke!

Very pissed off, dont care what they say but our club has been pumping this up, they give us an early christmas present and then rip out straight back out of our hands.

Grow some balls saints board, be leaders, not followers

Times have changed Brewski - footballers lives aren't private anymore and what they do in their own time can now reflect on their club - just ask Milne, Monty, Gehrig, Lawrence, Shaw, Didak and Carey

Also our club haven't been pumping this up - the media and the supporters have!!!!!!!!!!!!

The club did grow some balls tonight as their decision went against all media expectation - their decision came off the back of some extensive research concerning the subject and obviously he didn't tick all boxes

A lot of pro-Cousin supporters keep on harping about his footballing talent yet he is a 30 year old recovering drug addict who has been practically out of the game for 18 months - who is to say that he will ever regain that said form - who is to say that he he wasn't under the influence when he played 2 years ago

The fact that Cousins shaved his whole body after being told of the drug testing regime that he would have to undergo says to me that he is either mind numbingly ignorant or jaw droppingly arrogant - alarm bells?????

Obviously the thought of having a 25 year old drug free Cousins running around in the red white and black is very appealing however he is not 25 and there is a good chance he is not drug free considering the company he is still keeping and the fact he shaved his whole body

Collingwood dropped him like a screaming hot potato and another 13 clubs ran for the hills - now why would they do that??????????

[St Igmata]

BC attempted to get away with *it* one time too many.
The fact that he attempted to elude a drug test yet again says he has not reformed and he will be trouble.
It was the only decision the club could make in the current circumstances.

[The Fireman]

My 2 bobs worth.

Dumb, just plain dumb, a Ben Cousins in our side would have made it a better one, as simple as that and the timing is right. Our team is poised for a shot at the flag and to not take the gamble or deny the team a player of Ben's abilities is just sheer stupidity and incompetence .
Our onfield success is being dictated by pen pushers and who knows, it may be a salary cap situation , either way, incompetence.

Those who agree with their decision , check your fleece, you may need shearing.

Terrible decision.

[Sobraz]

Get this through your head Archie, Greg et al... Our ONE and ONLY priority is to win the flag NEXT SEASON... not to make granduous statements and moral choices...

Ahhh OK..so you werent one of the people here demanding WCE be stripped of their 2006 flag when Ben's problem's came out???

No, I sure wasn't.... Couldnt care less how they won that flag... The won it, we didnt, and this decision makes it harder for us to win it next season..

R. Harvey was 33 when he played one of the greatest games ever against Adelaide at AAMI in a final.. As a player, Cousins is nearly on par with Harvs, and I'm thinking we just overlooked 5 quality years of football in favour of selling a few Jeld Wen knobs and knockers...

[GrumpyOne]

*sings*

There's got to be a morning after
If we can hold on through the night
We have a chance to find the sunshine
Let's keep on lookin' for the light

Oh, can't you see the morning after
It's waiting right outside the storm
Why don't we cross the bridge together
And find a place that's safe and warm

It's not too late, we should be giving
Only with love can we climb
It's not too late, not while we're living
Let's put our hands out in time

There's got to be a morning after
We're moving closer to the shore
I know we'll be there by tomorrow
And we'll escape the darkness
We won't be searchin' any more

[undecided]

it still looks like a bad decision from the outside

[brewski]

This is a weak and pathetic decision by the board, Westaway = k Rudd all talk and then goes to piss when the heats on.
We are a fair way off Hawthorn and Geelong at the moment and we have an opportunity to pick up an elite midfielder for SFA
a guy how can kick goals, get about 30 possies a game deliver the ball lace out everytime (he and Judd won a flag almost of their own bat with no real west coast forwards, image roo and kosi getting delivery like that)and hes got a bit of mongrel in him (which we need) every time he played against us he ripped us a new asshole! sure he's a risk but what are we paying for him? F#$king nothing a late draft pick, stop putting these guys on pedestals they are footballers i could give a damn if he needs some blow to go out his front door or cranks off to animal porn, he is there to play footy and what these guys do in their private lives got nothing to do with it.If the sponsor has had some say in this then i too will and let my friends know to totally boycott their product, im sick of my club bending over and taking it in ass by AFL, sponsors, everyone..... someone down their please stand up and fight for us, we are a joke!

Very pissed off, dont care what they say but our club has been pumping this up, they give us an early christmas present and then rip out straight back out of our hands.

Grow some balls saints board, be leaders, not followers

Times have changed Brewski - footballers lives aren't private anymore and what they do in their own time can now reflect on their club - just ask Milne, Monty, Gehrig, Lawrence, Shaw, Didak and Carey

Also our club haven't been pumping this up - the media and the supporters have!!!!!!!!!!!!

The club did grow some balls tonight as their decision went against all media expectation - their decision came off the back of some extensive research concerning the subject and obviously he didn't tick all boxes

A lot of pro-Cousin supporters keep on harping about his footballing talent yet he is a 30 year old recovering drug addict who has been practically out of the game for 18 months - who is to say that he will ever regain that said form - who is to say that he he wasn't under the influence when he played 2 years ago

The fact that Cousins shaved his whole body after being told of the drug testing regime that he would have to undergo says to me that he is either mind numbingly ignorant or jaw droppingly arrogant - alarm bells?????

Obviously the thought of having a 25 year old drug free Cousins running around in the red white and black is very appealing however he is not 25 and there is a good chance he is not drug free considering the company he is still keeping and the fact he shaved his whole body

Collingwood dropped him like a screaming hot potato and another 13 clubs ran for the hills - now why would they do that??????????

IMO this board has flat out lied to us, these people work for us as caretakers of our club and treat us like little children, the decision would be easier to accept if they were straight up.
if we were in fact looking at recruiting youth this should have come out months ago, and there would be no need for due diligence with Benny and even if this is the case BC would go so high up the draft that it really wouldnt effect the kids we want to bring in.

I think that this decision was due to sponsor pressure and if this is the case, then it just goes to show how weak this board really is, when a bunch of corporates dictate who plays for our club, look at the Filth opting out of the TAC deal cause their players are human and was causing embarrassment. I’d rather have a smaller sponsor that lets the football dept run the club rather than bully boys who wanna have a say in it! btw Jeld Wen wouldn't be complaining if he helped us to a premiership and their brand was splashed out all round the country.

You say that the board showed leadership by not following media hype, i personally think they were showing leadership when they were chasing BC and that Collingwood also did their own enquires and didnt want him but i think a lot of people are missing the point here, in reality what would the filth get from him with their list they have to rebuild, out of all the clubs he is best suited to us, i know the window gets mentioned on here all the time but i firmly believe we are still in the window we just need something a bit special to take us the next step and we will never get another opportunity to get a player of this calibre without giving up a hell of a lot.

That brings me to role models, FFS parents should be role models to their kids not footballers, when i was a kid i loved watching the likes of big carl and Mad dog Muir didnt mean i went out and punched someone later, and the half time pics of players eating pies and smoking a ciggie didnt influence me to go do the same, it gives me the s***s that this generation of kids is plonked in front of the Tv watching some dude cut down the population of a small village with an uzi and then parent starts whinging not good for the kids when Barry Hall belts someone.
I am into the music scene and appreciated and looked up to different artists growing up for their ability not their morals, didn’t snort Coke after listening to the Stones, didnt inject smack after hearing a Motley crue cd and did scull heaps of whiskey when i heard AC/DC.
Everyone fu#ks up in life and i thing most are entitled to another chance, thank god the ACB let Warnie come back so we could have a few more years in marveling at his magic, he did his crime and he did the time and came back like a gun just to stick it up everyone.

i think Cuz would be the same i think he could be potentially better, he looks in the best nick ive ever seen him, everyone talks risk even at 60-70% he's still better than a lot on our list, the only doubt i have on him is the hammies but we already got a few of our own in that boat.

In regard to us picking him up being a media beat up, well I don’t think so there is always some element of that but we were fuelling this ride pretty well as a club saw lots of media reports from Capt, coach and board all very positive leading up on tv, internet (our site) and papers and am still very pissed off with boards decision, would like the club to explain what happened in the last week, due diligence appeared done and I think most members believed that this was barring any exceptional circumstances, already a done deal.

[WayneJudson42]

[
As someone mentioned... X Clarke Snr passed away to day. Get some perspective people. FFS!

How about YOU and that someone stop being so disrespectful and dare insinuate that those of us who are not happy with the decision that has been made are somehow not sympathetic to the Clarke family.

Grow up

Actually, I thought your post was quite reasonable.

My comment was about perspective. Is that too much to fathom?

My post was aimed at the hysterical clap trap over reactive vitriol posted on this thread. And you want me to grow up?

Don't be so bloody precious mate. And don't put words in my mouth.

The inference was for people to get some perspective and calm down. It's not the end of the world.