Ben Cousins - He's back (now at Richmond) [Merged Threads]

[Brown26]

The problem for Richmond, as Rocket Eade points out in an article on the AFL website, there is precident for NOT allowing extra picks for long term injuries. Ramma was not really an injury, but players have been out for more than 12 months and their clubs have not been given an extra spot on their list.

The problem for the AFL is that, whatever their decision, people will think that the question is "should Ben Cousins be allowed to play on" rather than should Richmond get compensated for a long long term injury.

It would be interesting of the AFL to say that they can take an "extra" player, as long as that exact player is delisted again after 12 months. I wonder what Cousins would say to that!!

- Ben

[Dale61]

I wouldn't say that Polak is long-term injured, more like long-term stupid!

How stupid does one have to be to walk into the path of a tram?

Richmond want to be 'rewarded' for a players stupidity? There is no way in hell that anyone can compare Ramma to Polak.

I hope the AFL does NOT set a precedent, and makes Richmond play by the rules.

[Tannin]

Dale, that commment was a disgrace.

[Dale61]

I care because .....................?

Do you really think I'm the only person who thinks that way?

Polak may have an acquired brain injury, but I bet he's a lot smarter now than what he was before getting pegged by a tram! It still doesn't mean Richmond should be allowed to buck the system and make up rules for themselves.

[gobbles21]

Article in Todays Herlad Sun makes sense, basically if Richmond wants Cousins they can use their 1st pick and then use their 2nd pick for a rookie, not the other way round. No doubt there will be more Eddie bashing, but he does make sense. Richmond want their early rookie pick and Cousins on the side.

Disagree - If Ben is availiable by the second pick then they have every right. Thats the basis of a draft if a player is in more demand then he will be picked up - if not then he is only worth where he goes. If anyone else had intrest in Ben then they may be forced to use an erlier selection.
But because no one else wants him he can go last.

You cant say because you have the balls to have a crack at this player you have to select him 1st before a young kid. They are entitled to select whoever with whichever picks they like.

[mackasmatt]

If teams want to stop them using their 1st pick.. someone else is going to have to show some interest. Simple.

[Raw Hammer]

Dale, being a resident of the area close to where Polak got hit by the tram, I can tell you this: trams travelling along Dandenong road are whisper quiet. They travel at an alarming speed with little warning, and the tram lines are tree lined to the extent that it is often difficult to see a tram from afar due to the trees obstructing their view (especially at night). The tram lines along Dandenong Rd are basically like mini-train lines.

[3rd degree]

Stupid comment Dale it could happen to anyone around that area!

[AN_Inkling]

I don't think Eddie said Richmond should use their first of two picks on Cousins. Heard him on the radio saying that he does not believe the AFL should allow Polak to be rookied, and that if Richmond were serious about taking Cousins, he wouldn't need to be, he was also not happy about Richmond applying for special permission so late.

Personally, i hope Cousins plays next season, whether for Richmond or someone else. If that means Polak is placed on the Rookie list, fine, though I can understand those who are against it.

Look for Collingwood to Rookie list Rusling if he does another shoulder, or West Coast to do the same with Tom Swift if he does another knee. Maybe the rule could be that if you Rookie list an injured player, they cannot play for two years.

It's clear why Richmond would want Polak rookied before deciding to take Cousins. He is very unlikely to play next season, so they are down one player. If they take Cousins and he uses again, they're down two players.

I do think it's ridiculous that a decision about how many picks a team has is being decided the day before the draft. I guess the PSD barely qualifies as a draft, but still, it needs to have some integrity.

[blackandwhite4life]

I agree with Ed on this one. If Collingwood were trying to do what Richmond are doing, the media would be going off their heads, Caroline Wilson would be frothing at the mouth and talkback radio would be in meltdown.

Got nothing to do with Cousins though. I hope Cousins plays again and I wish we had've had the balls to go for him.

[melliot]

It is irrelevant if they pick Cousins or not. What is relevant is if Polak can get Rookied cos he has a long term injury. What the tiges do with that extra spot on the list and its available pick, is totally upto them.

If the AFL allow this, then why can't any long term injured player between seasons be rookied? What does it matter how the injury occured? There is a good case for such a rule, but it dooesn't exists ATM as far as I know.

Why the Tiges have left it so late to submit this request? It would be alarming, if you were a Tiges supporter. Their either conspiring or incompetent.

I'd be surprised if the AFL allow it in this case. But there is a good argument for such a rule in the future.

i.e. Long Term Injured List Spot. An additional spot on the list outside of the 44 for a season for a player with a long term injury/recovery from serious injury. Not allowed to play AFL football (but can play VFL). Can be elevated back to full list prior to ND. Salary is maintained inside Cap.

[bwphantom]

AFL have knocked back Tiges request to place Polak on Rookie List.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 61,00.html

Bye, Bye Cousins.

[Proud Pies]

AFL says no

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/20 ... 94389.html

[DaVe86]

The argument has nothing to do with Cousins.


I am so sick of people saying we are jealous.

Why on earth would we be jealous? We gave up on Cousins a long time ago and handed him on a platter to Brisbane and St.Kilda. Both of those teams also passed up the chance. We did our homework and were willing to see him play elsewhere. Jealousy has nothing to do with it.



THe issue is that Richmond have had all year to ask for special permission to rookie Polak as a mature player similar to the Rama scenario.

The allowed all 3 list lodgement dates to pass. They said that it would be better for Polak's health to remain a senior listed player.


Now, after the 3 list lodgement dates have passed, after the National Draft has passed and trade week....they now decide that Polak's condition is such that he will not be available to play in 09 and they want to make him a mature aged rookie.


They have known about Polak's condition for a long long time. I had a lot of respect for them for sticking by Polak. However, they only stuck by him for a few months. When a good player came along, they are now already trying to delist him and pick him back up as a rookie.


Its a disgrace that Collingwood are the bad guys here. Richmond are the pigs who are looking to delist Polak. All because a better offer has come along.




And for crying out loud guys....its Polak, not Pollack....we look like a bunch of morons when we get his name wrong. Seriously, its not hard....Pollack is a disgusting effort....get his name right or don't put up the topic because it is obvious you know nothing about him.

[DaVe86]

AFL says no

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/20 ... 94389.html

pfft standard article....write a little bit about the current situation then bring up all Cousins' priors.




Richmond can still pick up Ben COusins. They still have a pick in the PSD. Just select him at pick 6 and be done with it.