Ben Cousins

[westozfalcon]

The Rookie List is a misnomer anyway.

The term 'rookie' is used to describe a first-year player in a professional sport.

In the AFL it seems players are allowed to go on and off a team's 'Rookie List' for a variety of reasons regardless of their age or how many years they've been in the system. It's ridiculous having blokes dropped back and classed as rookies when they've been playing senior footy for years.

I'm not begrudging blokes in unfortunate circumstances like Adam Ramanauskas and Graham Polak getting the chance to be retained at their clubs but the term 'rookie' is entirely inappropriate for them.

The AFL should drop the fancy American terminology and call the Rookie List something more suitable. Perhaps 'Reserve List' would be better.

[Dirko]

I'm not begrudging blokes in unfortunate circumstances like Adam Ramanauskas and Graham Polak getting the chance to be retained at their clubs but the term 'rookie' is entirely inappropriate for them.

No doubt, but Polak was contracted for 2009, so he had no danger of getting cast of into the wilderness. Ramanauskas wasn't contracted and Essendon approached the AFL for a special exemption to allow them to hold him until he got over his cancer.

The main point here is that Richmond couldn't get their act together before list lodgement and now have decided to throw Cousins a lifeline and are using Polak as a pawn.....

[tedbullpit]

I'm not begrudging blokes in unfortunate circumstances like Adam Ramanauskas and Graham Polak getting the chance to be retained at their clubs but the term 'rookie' is entirely inappropriate for them.

No doubt, but Polak was contracted for 2009, so he had no danger of getting cast of into the wilderness. Ramanauskas wasn't contracted and Essendon approached the AFL for a special exemption to allow them to hold him until he got over his cancer.

The main point here is that Richmond couldn't get their act together before list lodgement and now have decided to throw Cousins a lifeline and are using Polak as a pawn.....

Everyone seems to be forgetting that even if the application to put Polak on the rookie list is not approved that Richmond still have a pick in the preseason draft. From what I can gather I would still think Richmond would use this pick to pick up Cousins in the draft anyway.

[Dirko]

No dramas with Richmond using the pick they've got, just dramas with the one they're trying to shaft Polak with.....

[Media Park]

As a leader...

The Cuz or Chris Newman?

[Psyber]

As a leader...
The Cuz or Chris Newman?

Leading where.....

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm sick of hearing about it.

[rod_rooster]

I'm sick of hearing about it.

So you make comment in a thread that has had no activity for 3 days

[Dirko]

I'm sick of hearing about it.

So you make comment in a thread that has had no activity for 3 days

[hearts on fire]

People these days......

[Dirko]

So the AFL have told Richmond they can't put Polak onto the Rookie list. Good.
Now see if Richmond take Cousins in the manner in which they should've in the first place.....

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/12/15/1229189494389.html

[Dogwatcher]

Ahhh I can see it now - Collingwood bullied the AFL into making this decision.

[Hondo]

So the AFL have told Richmond they can't put Polak onto the Rookie list. Good.
Now see if Richmond take Cousins in the manner in which they should've in the first place.....

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/12/15/1229189494389.html

I disagreed with you at first

But now I agree. As you said, they still have a pick they can use on Cousins. It's up to Richmond now.

How would Ben feel? Barely worth a last PSD pick as it turns out

[Dogwatcher]

Hondo,

He is worth more than that - but is he worth it

[stan]

So the AFL have told Richmond they can't put Polak onto the Rookie list. Good.
Now see if Richmond take Cousins in the manner in which they should've in the first place.....

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/12/15/1229189494389.html

It will be interesting. Is it tommorrow?
I think it is, I'll be watching with some interest.

[ChocolateNBlue]

All richmond need to do is take cousins with pick 6, then take their other player in the rookie draft, put Polak on the long term injury list and then promote the rookie drafted player to the senior list. Quite simple really....

[Dutchy]

good to see the AFL call Richmonds bluff, WTF were they thinking?

Now we will see if Richmond were bluffing with Cousins

[Brad]

I think the AFL did the right thing, (I am a Richmond fan) the timing of the request was late and if they really want Cousins they will use the pick they have tomorrow.

[mighty_tiger_79]

i hope richmond pick him up

it would be good to see him play again because without doubt he is one of the best players to have played in the last decade

clubs who are struggling for fans should have chased him as well

[Adelaide Hawk]

good to see the AFL call Richmonds bluff, WTF were they thinking?

Now we will see if Richmond were bluffing with Cousins

It's a good point. To me, it looks as though Richmond really aren't sure if they should take him. Do they want him or not?