The Richmond Situation Vs. Ours

[Saints94]

1- Ben's first choice would have been togo back to the WCE. The only reason he considered other clubs was because they didn't want him back, and so he had no choice. (So?)

2- Please stay away from the Westgate and Bolte bridge for the next 48 hours. (only if you promise you will jump)

Who asked you? Once again, you can't help yourself and make silly comments.[/quote]

so its ok for you to make silly statements and comments

but not for Me[/quote]He has a point there Wayne

[Devilhead]

I think all the text messages from bloody Tigers fans today is doing it, might have to turn the phone off

Don't worry I'm sure at some stage next year you will get the chance to respond in the nicest possible way

[sainteronline]

Mate, from the PM's I get... they'd be queueing up for miles to point the finger at him.

Who me?[/quote]

This is like watching an old Abbot and Costello or 3 Stooges or Marx Bros routine.
Who's on First?
Why a Duck?

If you're not actually involved in this cyclical conversation it is hilarious!

BTW Sainteronline, would your Footscray supporting nephew be a 'blood relative' - son of your brother or sister?
If so, then I would know how to take his comments re Ray.
I mean if he was a 'blood relative' you could expect him to think a litlle like yourself.
If that's the case, is he 'screaming blue murder' at his Club for not taking Cousins?[/quote]

yes he would have liked to have picked up cousins

what has that got to do with anything

his club didn't go through a six-month process only to tell supporters "confidential information"

[Saints94]

Mate, from the PM's I get... they'd be queueing up for miles to point the finger at him.

Who me?

This is like watching an old Abbot and Costello or 3 Stooges or Marx Bros routine.
Who's on First?
Why a Duck?

If you're not actually involved in this cyclical conversation it is hilarious!

BTW Sainteronline, would your Footscray supporting nephew be a 'blood relative' - son of your brother or sister?
If so, then I would know how to take his comments re Ray.
I mean if he was a 'blood relative' you could expect him to think a litlle like yourself.
If that's the case, is he 'screaming blue murder' at his Club for not taking Cousins?[/quote]

yes he would have liked to have picked up cousins

what has that got to do with anything

his club didn't go through a six-month process only to tell supporters "confidential information"[/quote]Im just trying to make things funny

[Mr Magic]

Mate, from the PM's I get... they'd be queueing up for miles to point the finger at him.

Who me?

This is like watching an old Abbot and Costello or 3 Stooges or Marx Bros routine.
Who's on First?
Why a Duck?

If you're not actually involved in this cyclical conversation it is hilarious!

BTW Sainteronline, would your Footscray supporting nephew be a 'blood relative' - son of your brother or sister?
If so, then I would know how to take his comments re Ray.
I mean if he was a 'blood relative' you could expect him to think a litlle like yourself.
If that's the case, is he 'screaming blue murder' at his Club for not taking Cousins?

yes he would have liked to have picked up cousins

what has that got to do with anything

his club didn't go through a six-month process only to tell supporters "confidential information"[/quote]Im just trying to make things funny [/quote]




I'm getting a headache trying to figure out which one of you 2 is actually saying what?

It would be really nice if you could keep the 'quotes' straight, so a poor old simple fellow like me can see which one of you is posting which 'gems'.

Thanks in advance.

[SainterK]

i cant wait to see cousins vs judd again

Carlton v Richmond....I can't wait to see the ratings!

[evertonfc]

ST KILDA should have taken Ben Cousins.

It is as simple as that.

But they didn't - and while the brilliant midfielder turns 31 in late June next year - he's due for an enourmous finish to his career at Punt Rd.

Effectively, Cousins has not played a full season in two years. But his stint during the second half of 2007 proved how awesome he can still be, even with time out of the game. Given that his body has had only limited physical toll of late, it is safe to assume he will be in far better condition than those of the same age. It could even prolong his career for an extra year or two.

He is unlikely to ever reach his peak again. Nor is he going to lift any side to a flag on his own. But that is beside the point. He is a world-class athlete with a world-class work ethic, added to an insatiable desire to win.

That can only be a good thing. And for a side like St Kilda, who lacks pacy midfielders, he would have been a god-send. He would have drawn attention away from the likes of Hayes, Ball and Dal Santo, enabling them to have a greater impact. The latter two of that pairing would have benefited enormously.

But instead, he'll take the heat from players like Deledio, Tambling and Cotchin. He'll allow them to grow and evolve in the next few years, and if they can take his training track lead, they'll become superb players.

Ultimately, it's a punt that Richmond must be congratulated for making. It won't change their world, but it will make their team better both now and in the future as their players come to grips with what made him such a dominant midfielder for so long.

And going into 2009, a year where they are predicted to make inroads into the eight, they couldn't have picked a better player - or story - to spark their season.

But it's a gamble the Saints should have made. He was the ideal fit for their team, and the momentum of his signing could have revived a legitimate feeling of optimism.

They must quickly find a way to erase the overwhelming feeling of deflation.

[Saints94]

I was angry to..... but i'm over it now his a Tiger now

[Mr Magic]

ST KILDA should have taken Ben Cousins.

It is as simple as that.

But they didn't - and while the brilliant midfielder turns 31 in late June next year - he's due for an enourmous finish to his career at Punt Rd.

Effectively, Cousins has not played a full season in two years. But his stint during the second half of 2007 proved how awesome he can still be, even with time out of the game. Given that his body has had only limited physical toll of late, it is safe to assume he will be in far better condition than those of the same age. It could even prolong his career for an extra year or two.

He is unlikely to ever reach his peak again. Nor is he going to lift any side to a flag on his own. But that is beside the point. He is a world-class athlete with a world-class work ethic, added to an insatiable desire to win.

That can only be a good thing. And for a side like St Kilda, who lacks pacy midfielders, he would have been a god-send. He would have drawn attention away from the likes of Hayes, Ball and Dal Santo, enabling them to have a greater impact. The latter two of that pairing would have benefited enormously.

But instead, he'll take the heat from players like Deledio, Tambling and Cotchin. He'll allow them to grow and evolve in the next few years, and if they can take his training track lead, they'll become superb players.

Ultimately, it's a punt that Richmond must be congratulated for making. It won't change their world, but it will make their team better both now and in the future as their players come to grips with what made him such a dominant midfielder for so long.

And going into 2009, a year where they are predicted to make inroads into the eight, they couldn't have picked a better player - or story - to spark their season.

But it's a gamble the Saints should have made. He was the ideal fit for their team, and the momentum of his signing could have revived a legitimate feeling of optimism.

They must quickly find a way to erase the overwhelming feeling of deflation.

Is that Caro's story for tomorrow's paper?

If so it makes a couple of pretty big assumptions/presumptions.

1. That Cousins will 'survive' without re-offending.
2. That Cousins will not have serious injury problems.

[SainterK]

ST KILDA should have taken Ben Cousins.

It is as simple as that.

But they didn't - and while the brilliant midfielder turns 31 in late June next year - he's due for an enourmous finish to his career at Punt Rd.

Effectively, Cousins has not played a full season in two years. But his stint during the second half of 2007 proved how awesome he can still be, even with time out of the game. Given that his body has had only limited physical toll of late, it is safe to assume he will be in far better condition than those of the same age. It could even prolong his career for an extra year or two.

He is unlikely to ever reach his peak again. Nor is he going to lift any side to a flag on his own. But that is beside the point. He is a world-class athlete with a world-class work ethic, added to an insatiable desire to win.

That can only be a good thing. And for a side like St Kilda, who lacks pacy midfielders, he would have been a god-send. He would have drawn attention away from the likes of Hayes, Ball and Dal Santo, enabling them to have a greater impact. The latter two of that pairing would have benefited enormously.

But instead, he'll take the heat from players like Deledio, Tambling and Cotchin. He'll allow them to grow and evolve in the next few years, and if they can take his training track lead, they'll become superb players.

Ultimately, it's a punt that Richmond must be congratulated for making. It won't change their world, but it will make their team better both now and in the future as their players come to grips with what made his such a dominant midfielder for so long.

But it's a gamble the Saints should have made. He was the ideal fit for their team, and the momentum of his signing could have revived a legitimate feeling of optimism.

Instead, it's the Tigers who'll get that lift. And going into 2009, a year where they are predicted to make inroads into the eight, they couldn't have picked a better player - or story - to spark their season.

Spot on, that's how I feel....

I wish the guy well, he now is soley in control of redeeming himself.

[SainterK]

[/quote]

Is that Caro's story for tomorrow's paper?

If so it makes a couple of pretty big assumptions/presumptions.

1. That Cousins will 'survive' without re-offending.
2. That Cousins will not have serious injury problems.[/quote]

It is certainly a risk, but surely one worth taking? Richmond were better going into the decision in blind faith, there is such a thing as overanalysing....

[evertonfc]

Is that Caro's story for tomorrow's paper?

Yes.

I have morphed into a 53(?)-year old woman with kids who works for The Age.

And you have evolved into Mordy Bromberg.

If so it makes a couple of pretty big assumptions/presumptions.

1. That Cousins will 'survive' without re-offending.
2. That Cousins will not have serious injury problems.

1. I'd be surprised if he "re-offended", TBH.
2. I'd expect that he will play in between 15 and 20 games. If he plays 10 or more reasonable games - by his standards - that's a result.

It's a great move by Richmond.

And even if he DOES "re-offend", I don't think the world will come to an end. He'll be delisted by Richmond, they'll be disappointed, but they'll move on.

No player will be caught with him if he starts to "re-offend". They'll be all too aware.

I think Cousins, out of his comfort zone and in a new team environment, won't stuff up.

Our closest example is Michael Gardiner. Hasn't caused one iota of genuine trouble (we've all done the odd stupid thing while pissed). Injuries have been his biggest worry...but even then, he's been worth the risk.

Cousins would have been, too.

[jays]

so really whats the difference between us and tigers why couldn't we get him?

[evertonfc]

so really whats the difference between us and tigers why couldn't we get him?

Richmond had some of these.

[SainterK]

so really whats the difference between us and tigers why couldn't we get him?

Not sure if it was that we "couldn't" I think it was more to the fact that we chose not to...

[Mr Magic]

Is that Caro's story for tomorrow's paper?

Yes.

I have morphed into a 53(?)-year old woman with kids who works for The Age.

And you have evolved into Mordy Bromberg.

If so it makes a couple of pretty big assumptions/presumptions.

1. That Cousins will 'survive' without re-offending.
2. That Cousins will not have serious injury problems.

1. I'd be surprised if he "re-offended", TBH.
2. I'd expect that he will play in between 15 and 20 games. If he plays 10 or more reasonable games - by his standards - that's a result.

It's a great move by Richmond.

And even if he DOES "re-offend", I don't think the world will come to an end. He'll be delisted by Richmond, they'll be disappointed, but they'll move on.

No player will be caught with him if he starts to "re-offend". They'll be all too aware.

I think Cousins, out of his comfort zone and in a new team environment, won't stuff up.

Our closest example is Michael Gardiner. Hasn't caused one iota of genuine trouble (we've all done the odd stupid thing while pissed). Injuries have been his biggest worry...but even then, he's been worth the risk.

Cousins would have been, too.

Why Mordy Bromberg - I'm not on the Saints Match Committee or have anything whatsoever to do with the Football Dept at the Club, nor am I a barrister?

Whereas I understand you have some 'journalistic skills' and may have some connection to Fairfax so my question about Caro seemed reasonable?
If I am wrong about that I will apologise.

[evertonfc]

so my question about Caro seemed reasonable?

I've never met the woman, nor worked with her, nor have I had anything to do with her in any capacity...so yes, I do find it a little odd that you'd suggest it.

[Mr Magic]

so my question about Caro seemed reasonable?

I've never met the woman, nor worked with her, nor have I had anything to do with her in any capacity...so yes, I do find it a little odd that you'd suggest it.

But do you have a connection to Fairfax?

Also why the reference to Mordy Bromberg?

[evertonfc]

so my question about Caro seemed reasonable?

I've never met the woman, nor worked with her, nor have I had anything to do with her in any capacity...so yes, I do find it a little odd that you'd suggest it.

But do you have a connection to Fairfax?

Also why the reference to Mordy Bromberg?

No and no reason.

Do you know Mordy?

[Mr Magic]

so my question about Caro seemed reasonable?

I've never met the woman, nor worked with her, nor have I had anything to do with her in any capacity...so yes, I do find it a little odd that you'd suggest it.

But do you have a connection to Fairfax?

Also why the reference to Mordy Bromberg?

No and no reason.

Well if you tell me that you have no commnection to Fairfax then I apologize for the reference to Caro - it was my mistaken belief that you did, maybe a sister publication to The Age.

As to the 'Mordy' reference, that's a really strange name to 'pull out of the air' in this context, for 'no reason'?

[evertonfc]

As to the 'Mordy' reference, that's a really strange name to 'pull out of the air' in this context, for 'no reason'?

Apologies.

You seem to have taken offence to it, so I'll retract it.

[Mr Magic]

As to the 'Mordy' reference, that's a really strange name to 'pull out of the air' in this context, for 'no reason'?

Apologies.

You seem to have taken offence to it, so I'll retract it.

No offence, just curious as to the context of the reference, that's all.

[tweedaletomanning]

ST KILDA should have taken Ben Cousins.

It is as simple as that.

But they didn't - and while the brilliant midfielder turns 31 in late June next year - he's due for an enourmous finish to his career at Punt Rd.

Effectively, Cousins has not played a full season in two years. But his stint during the second half of 2007 proved how awesome he can still be, even with time out of the game. Given that his body has had only limited physical toll of late, it is safe to assume he will be in far better condition than those of the same age. It could even prolong his career for an extra year or two.

He is unlikely to ever reach his peak again. Nor is he going to lift any side to a flag on his own. But that is beside the point. He is a world-class athlete with a world-class work ethic, added to an insatiable desire to win.

That can only be a good thing. And for a side like St Kilda, who lacks pacy midfielders, he would have been a god-send. He would have drawn attention away from the likes of Hayes, Ball and Dal Santo, enabling them to have a greater impact. The latter two of that pairing would have benefited enormously.

But instead, he'll take the heat from players like Deledio, Tambling and Cotchin. He'll allow them to grow and evolve in the next few years, and if they can take his training track lead, they'll become superb players.

Ultimately, it's a punt that Richmond must be congratulated for making. It won't change their world, but it will make their team better both now and in the future as their players come to grips with what made him such a dominant midfielder for so long.

And going into 2009, a year where they are predicted to make inroads into the eight, they couldn't have picked a better player - or story - to spark their season.

But it's a gamble the Saints should have made. He was the ideal fit for their team, and the momentum of his signing could have revived a legitimate feeling of optimism.

They must quickly find a way to erase the overwhelming feeling of deflation.

Agree 100%

The most sensible post on this (mostly comedy act) thread.

[evertonfc]

Offer some organic homemade pasta sauce to the guy in the tatty blue-and-white scarf getting his coffee out of the window just before hopping on the 7:49am train from North Brighton tomorrow morning; he'll explain the reference.

[BigMart]

Why will it be a disaster for the AFL if Ben takes more drugs????

Will they be providing them???...

The AFL cannot be held to account for all the players actions......there are Drug users in society everywhere, and a percentage of AFL players take drugs.....it is unavoidable.....

It would have been a disaster if he were not drafted......it would have meant the establishment had let him down by not supporting him and giving him every opportunity to get healthy and continue work footy is his occupation....I am still not sure why he was suspended and 8 othet players who tested positive twice were not....

Good on Richmond for showing some courage and making, what maybe a great decision - with much more upside than downside...

Best scenario - Top 4 finish and Ben takes a B&F or two (to add to his 4 at WC)

The worst thing that can happen is that he gets busted, gets delisted and Richmond still smell like roses because they gave him a chance - and it will be Ben who is the one at fault....

He is a champion of the game - great to see him back.....memberships for the tiges will skyrocket, sponsors will get there moneys worth and they will benefit from taking a gamble on a champion hell bent on redemption....

We could have, but took the easy way out, and put it in the too hard basket...

Gardner on the other hand.....half the player, half the fitness.....same problem.....yet willing to trade a pick for him......go figure