Ben Cousins

[Lucky Knickers]

Sounds emphathic.

Yesterday, Swans football manager Andrew Ireland had this to say when asked if the club would be interested in recruiting Cousins: "No."

[hammo]

If we're prepared to trade for Lovett then there is no reason why we should not also go for Cousins. I don't understand the club's position on him.

[ScottH]

Lovett wasn't banished to the wilderness by the AFL.
Cousins has admitted that he is still a high risk.

[hammo]

Lovett wasn't banished to the wilderness by the AFL.
Cousins has admitted that he is still a high risk.

If Cousins said on Saturday that he was over his issues and posed no risks to clubs, every "expert" in the country would be called up by the media to produce quotes like "he's in denial", "first step is admitting you've got a problem", "no appreciation of the difficulties in overcoming addiction", "he's not ready" etc etc.

[ScottH]

I would've thought drug addiction was bigger barrier to overcome than smacking the mrs around.
Other players on our list have had "issues" in their younger days, that they have now overcome.

[hammo]

I would've thought drug addiction was bigger barrier to overcome than smacking the mrs around.
Other players on our list have had "issues" in their younger days, that they have now overcome.

Hitting the missus and getting stuck into the bottle...

Lovett is also yet to win a premiership, Brownlow or club best and fairest. So what Cousins may have in barriers he makes up for in footballing ability. I just think for a free shot in the PSD, its a great opportunity for Cuz and the Swans.

[Captain]

We seem to have adopted a dickhead only policy now.

Imagine the trio of Cousins, Kerr & Lovett running around in the red and white. I dislike all 3 but am quite excited by that prospect.

[Plugger46]

I just think for a free shot in the PSD, its a great opportunity for Cuz and the Swans.

Agree entirely.

[AnnieH]

Peter Sumich it was Annie.
Dunno how much clout he has over there though.

Thanks BMR ... I've been on panadiene forte for a week or so (tooth extraction). It could have been Jesus himself that said it or I could have dreamed the whole thing!
Thanks for saying someone said it!!

I think Sumo would still be in the know over there.

[ScottH]

Hitting the missus and getting stuck into the bottle...

Lovett is also yet to win a premiership, Brownlow or club best and fairest. So what Cousins may have in barriers he makes up for in footballing ability. I just think for a free shot in the PSD, its a great opportunity for Cuz and the Swans.

Who doesn't get stuck into the bottle during there 20's? Not something that can't be overcome easily.

I think any club would want Cousins for football, but there must be a huge amount trepidation surrounding the pros and cons of having him.

[swan_song]

Who doesn't get stuck into the bottle during there [sic] 20's? Not something that can't be overcome easily.

Not quite sure of the meaning. There can NEVER be any excuse for hitting the missus (or anyone else for that matter, except Hunter of course ) and booze is the lamest excuse of all for violence against women... Whether its liquid (as in alcohol), or any other kind, snorted, injected or breathed in, drugs and addicts have nothing to offer a civilised society, let alone the Swans. But, having said that, if he's available in the PSD, let's go for it... Its shaping up as a great 2009...Cousins, Kerr, Lovett, Stanton...some pace at last in the midfield...

[CureTheSane]

Hitting the missus and getting stuck into the bottle...

Lovett is also yet to win a premiership, Brownlow or club best and fairest. So what Cousins may have in barriers he makes up for in footballing ability. I just think for a free shot in the PSD, its a great opportunity for Cuz and the Swans.

Agree 100%, and all this constant talk of a 'no dickhead policy' is really quite strange to me.
I'd suggest that people either...

Are trying to live in some perfect world, or

Bring up this 'policy' when they find it convenient.

Based on past trades we have brought in as many, if not more 'dickheads' than any other club.
Most people think of the Swans as a type of club to 'straighten out players' by taking them out of the football spotlight.
That reputation can only have been brought about by actually bringing in players with problems.

Personally, I'd happily give up our second round pick for Cousins.
I'd even consider the first round pick.
Given that there's a strong possibility that he'd still be around when the third round picks are called on, I'd be pissed if the club chose not to use their 3rd round selection on him.

[Plugger46]

Agree 100%, and all this constant talk of a 'no dickhead policy' is really quite strange to me.
I'd suggest that people either...

Are trying to live in some perfect world, or

Bring up this 'policy' when they find it convenient.

Based on past trades we have brought in as many, if not more 'dickheads' than any other club.
Most people think of the Swans as a type of club to 'straighten out players' by taking them out of the football spotlight.
That reputation can only have been brought about by actually bringing in players with problems.

Personally, I'd happily give up our second round pick for Cousins.
I'd even consider the first round pick.
Given that there's a strong possibility that he'd still be around when the third round picks are called on, I'd be pissed if the club chose not to use their 3rd round selection on him.

Agree with all of that except I think Cousins will be in the Pre-Season Draft - not the National Draft.

[ScottH]

Not quite sure of the meaning. There can NEVER be any excuse for hitting the missus (or anyone else for that matter, except Hunter of course ) and booze is the lamest excuse of all for violence against women... Whether its liquid (as in alcohol), or any other kind, snorted, injected or breathed in, drugs and addicts have nothing to offer a civilised society, let alone the Swans. But, having said that, if he's available in the PSD, let's go for it... Its shaping up as a great 2009...Cousins, Kerr, Lovett, Stanton...some pace at last in the midfield...

Wasn't giving an excuse for hitting women (or anyone), just pointing out that most young guys hit the booze, most get over it.

[Cardinal]

We seem to have adopted a dickhead only policy now.

Imagine the trio of Cousins, Kerr & Lovett running around in the red and white. I dislike all 3 but am quite excited by that prospect.

That's my dream. As much as I like O'Keefe, I'd have Cousins in the team first, particularly if a trade helped us secure Kerr.

As long a player isn't a dickhead when they are at the Club, it doesn't so much matter what they were like beforehand. In fact not only do the above players fit within the framework of the Swan's 'No-dickheads Policy" but they would fit well within the Club's tradition for reforming bad boys ala Plugger and BBH (almost)