Why not Cousins?

[DST]

Not that I'm saying I disagree with the logic, but surely the long term injury list is for someone injured in the lead up to or in the course of the current season normally?

I wonder if the AFL would have allowed it if they voided his contract in some manner then signed him again?

The AFL got this one exactly right.

The Tigers could have de-listed and paid Polak out and then asked for the AFL to place him outside their list like Rama so that they could elevate him again later.

They choose not to do this, saw a way of trying to get around the long term injury list rules to get Cousins for what would have been free and have basically been stopped by the other 15 clubs.

A sneaky way by the Tigers to get another (in this case ready made) player onto their list.

DST

[573v30]

Here's another article suggesting he's unlikely to play for the Tiggers: Cousins 'unlikely' to be Tigers pre-season pick

It didn't take long for some Tiggers supporters to protest: Richmond Tigers fans slam club over Ben Cousins

[Cardinal]

Still seems to be a bit of optimism on the RFC boards that Cousins will get picked up at #6.

Nothing like making the man look stupid for the system to come down on you.

[liz]

I think the AFL got this one absolutely right. But then I thought they got the Rama one wrong - not because some kind of compassionate solution wasn't required but because muddying the criteria for the rookie list probably wasn't the right one.

I do think there is a case for a "time out" list (and I'll give a nod to someone over at BF who came up with such an idea, though I haven't read the details of his conception of it). My suggestions on how this might work are:

1 Take away the judgement of whether the need for a timeout is exceptional or not. Some have argued that because Rama's cancer wasn't his fault, his case required special consideration. It did require special consideration, but Matthew Egan's foot or Brad Smith's knees were hardly their "fault" either. Let every club have a player on a "time-out" list if they want. Doesn't even have to be based on physical restrictions. For example, if Kennelly had wanted a year out after his father died to spend time with his family, why not?

2 If a player is on the time-out list, he can continue to be paid and train with the club. Amounts paid as salary up to his current (or most recent if his contract is expired) contract rate count totally outside the cap, as do any medical expenses (they do anyway, for listed players). Anything over and above the last contracted amount counts in the cap (to prevent this being used as some kind of extravagent salary cap rort, unlikely as that might seem).

3 A player on the "time-out list" remains on it for a whole season and can't play senior football during that year, even if they recover from the cause of them going on the list. That stops them becoming pseudo-rookies and clubs exploiting list size restrictions. They can, however, play at reserves (or lower level) with a team affiliated with the club.

4 At the end of their time-out year, they can be put back on the senior list (or rookie list if they qualify under the age restrictions) without the need to go through the draft.

5 Players must be put on the list in accordance with the normal deadlines for list lodgement. (There is a case for varying this - for instance, Kennelly's circumstances wouldn't have been covered given the timiing. But since there is no way to recruit an extra player once the draft season has come and gone, there isn't much point in varying it in practice.)

Although there would probably need to be a time limitation on how long a player can be on the time-out list, I don't see why it necessarily has to be just one year.

[connolly]

I don't think anyone bought that but if you were to look into the story a little further you would find he admits to taking the steriod it was the reason behind him taking it in the first place that I was refferring to. I understand your view point, but its your total lack of compassion for a guy like Charles that gets my goat. You will never know what a guy like that.....

. . . injects?

[ugg]

Early reports today says Richmond have decided to pick him up

Ben Cousins to be drafted by Richmond Tigers | The Australian

[573v30]

Early reports today says Richmond have decided to pick him up

Ben Cousins to be drafted by Richmond Tigers | The Australian

...and it's official, the Tiggers have used pick 6 to pick Ben Cousins.

[AnnieH]

...and it's official, the Tiggers have used pick 6 to pick Ben Cousins.

I hope he enjoys the media attention in Melbourne.

Now I've got a reason to hate the tiggers.

[Xie Shan]

...and it's official, the Tiggers have used pick 6 to pick Ben Cousins.

They nearly made a mess of it as only Richmond could but ignoring all the hype for a minute, I think they made the right call, he won't be expected to come back and dominate as the Tigers already have a very capable midfield, but assuming he returns successfully he will add a touch of class and experience to their side.

[Cardinal]

Great news - could have so been us.

I hope he brings the Tigers within a point of having a draw with the Swans.

[Nico]

I hope he enjoys the media attention in Melbourne.

Now I've got a reason to hate the tiggers.

You wouldn't believe the hype on SEN right now. You would reckon Richmond had the greatest list of all time. IIRC they didn't beat a side above them last year. Richmond supporters expect to now win the flag in 2009 on the back of drafting a reforming /recovering druggie etc to a team that's best player is an ageing forward who without his presence in 2008, would have finished way down the ladder. The list is ordinary, full stop.

9th looks a good bet for the most disappointing team in the last 25 years.

The cynic in me says this is a last gasp attempt by "The Wallett" to keep his job and the club to pick up memberships. The undertone of sentiment at the moment is; if he fails it is not Wallett's or Richmonds fault. So Wallett keeps the job and the Tiges keep the lolly.

[johnno]

To answer the question(title) of this thread....Why not Cousins???, cause he has just been drafted by Richmond.

[connolly]

You wouldn't believe the hype on SEN right now. You would reckon Richmond had the greatest list of all time. IIRC they didn't beat a side above them last year. Richmond supporters expect to now win the flag in 2009 on the back of drafting a reforming /recovering druggie etc (some say his real problem is alcohol) to a team that's best player is an ageing forward who without his presence in 2008, would have finished way down the ladder. The list is ordinary, full stop.

9th looks a good bet for the most disappointing team in the last 25 years.

The cynic in me says this is a last gasp attempt by "The Wallett" to keep his job and the club to pick up memberships. The undertone of sentiment at the moment is; if he fails it is not Wallett's or Richmonds fault. So Wallett keeps the job and the Tiges keep the lolly.

The headline should be "Pretender Signs Offender".

[connolly]

They nearly made a mess of it as only Richmond could but ignoring all the hype for a minute, I think they made the right call, he won't be expected to come back and dominate as the Tigers already have a very capable midfield, but assuming he returns successfully he will add a touch of class and experience to their side.

He is the icing on the cake perhaps? He will take them where they belong. Oblivion.

[Cardinal]

Richmond weren't the only team to struggle with those placed above them on the ladder.

Personally, I'm glad all that hype about a player doesn't apply to the Swans. We may be giving up our memberships in droves but at least moral hypocrisy will take some of us into the new season with a swagger of self belief.

You wouldn't believe the hype on SEN right now. You would reckon Richmond had the greatest list of all time. IIRC they didn't beat a side above them last year. Richmond supporters expect to now win the flag in 2009 on the back of drafting a reforming /recovering druggie etc (some say his real problem is alcohol) to a team that's best player is an ageing forward who without his presence in 2008, would have finished way down the ladder. The list is ordinary, full stop.

9th looks a good bet for the most disappointing team in the last 25 years.

The cynic in me says this is a last gasp attempt by "The Wallett" to keep his job and the club to pick up memberships. The undertone of sentiment at the moment is; if he fails it is not Wallett's or Richmonds fault. So Wallett keeps the job and the Tiges keep the lolly.