One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on December 13, 2008, 10:15:18 PM
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Richmond promised $300k to let Ben Cousins play
Tony Sheahan | December 13, 2008 05:27pm
A RICHMOND Football Club stalwart and millionaire restaurateur is prepared to reward the Tigers if the club revives the career of Ben Cousins.
stuff Dimattina, who played 42 games for the Tigers and is the father of former Bulldog Paul Dimattina, has told the club he will give it $300,000 if it drafts Cousins on Tuesday, The Sunday Times has learnt.
The patriarch of the Dimattina family, which owns a number of restaurants around the nation and a coffee franchise, confirmed he had made the Tigers a cash offer, but would not disclose the exact amount.
"If Richmond is prepared to take Ben, we'll up the ante and make a substantial contribution towards the football club," said family spokesman Paul Dimattina, who played 131 games for the Western Bulldogs.
He was originally drafted by Richmond, but didn't play a game.
The revelation came as former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, who urged Cousins to make contact with Richmond coach Terry Wallace, said Cousins was determined to get a second chance.
Sheedy met Cousins and his father in Perth earlier this month and was further convinced he deserved a go.
On Friday night, Sheedy received a voice message from Cousins saying: "Thanks for all your help and for meeting me. I really appreciate everything you've done."
The Tigers are hoping to secure a second pick in Tuesday's pre-season draft in order to secure Cousins, but AFL clubs are divided about the issue of injured Tiger Graham Polak being placed on the rookie list.
The AFL will hand down its decision tomorrow.
And, providing what could be a new incentive to other clubs should the Richmond deal not come off, Paul Dimattina said he would consider making the cash available to any team that took on the troubled star.
"As far as im concerned yeah, I'm sure the family would look at it," he said.
If Richmond did take Cousins, he said the former West Coast Eagle would have a responsibility to the club.
"If (Cousins) is given the opportunity, hopefully he makes the most of it," he said.
The financial enticement is a major boost to the Tigers, which is without a major sponsor for next season.
It is understood Richmond coach Terry Wallace is aware of the Dimattina offer.
Cousins flew to Melbourne on Thursday to plead his case to Wallace, returning to Perth the same night.
The Dimattinas, who said they would not impose conditions on how the club spent the donation, also criticised corporate sponsors who have publically interfered in Cousins' bid to return to football.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24796006-5005401,00.html
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That is fantastic, I will stand up now and be counted, I was dead against this guy coming to our club but more so of losing draft picks for him. No that we are not going to lose anything and I firmly believe Cousins will play until 34-35 (Harvey) I can't wait to get this guy to the club, if it eventuates.
GO BEN :clapping
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This whole episode gets more bizarre by the minute! :o
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Tigers offered bonus to recruit Ben Cousins
Tony Sheahan and Jackie Epstein | Herald-Sun| December 14, 2008
A MILLIONAIRE Tigers fan has offered the club a $300,000 bonus if it recruits recovering drug addict Ben Cousins.
As AFL chiefs assess Richmond's controversial bid for an extra pick in order to secure the Brownlow medallist in Tuesday's pre-season draft, football's Dimattina family made the offer.
stuff Dimattina, who played 42 games for the Tigers and is the father of former Bulldog Paul Dimattina, has offered the rich carrot.
"If Richmond is prepared to take Ben, we'll up the ante and make a substantial contribution towards the football club," Paul Dimattina said yesterday.
The family - which owns a string of restaurants including Society in Bourke St - declined to put a figure on the bonus, but the Sunday Herald Sun understands it could be as high as $300,000.
It has also emerged that the 30-year-old former Eagle has offered a heartfelt thanks to former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy for trying to save his career.
Sheedy met Cousins and his father in Perth early this month and was convinced that he deserved a go.
On Friday night, Sheedy received a voice message from Cousins saying: "Thanks for all your help and for meeting me. I really appreciate everything you've done."
The patriarch of the Dimattina family, which owns a number of restaurants and a coffee franchise, confirmed he made the Tigers a cash offer, but would not say how much.
Paul Dimattina said yesterday: "If Richmond is prepared to take Ben, we'll up the ante and make a substantial contribution to the club."
Dimattina played 131 games for the Western Bulldogs after being drafted by Richmond, though he never played for the Tigers.
The latest play in the Cousins saga came as former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy said Cousins was determined to get a second chance.
Sheedy said he urged Cousins to contact Richmond coach Terry Wallace after meeting the former West Coast champion and his father in Perth this month.
He left them convinced that Cousins deserved a go.
On Friday night, Sheedy received a voice message from Cousins saying: "Thanks for all your help and for meeting me. I really appreciate everything you've done."
The Tigers hope to secure a second pick in Tuesday's pre-season draft in order to secure Cousins, but AFL clubs are divided about the issue of injured Tiger Graham Polak being placed on the rookie list.
The AFL will hand down its decision tomorrow.
If Richmond picks Cousins, Paul Dimattina said the drug-addicted former West Coast Eagle had a responsibility to the club.
"Don't go and do the wrong thing," Dimattina said. "If he (Cousins) is given the opportunity, hopefully he makes the most of it."
The financial enticement is a major boost to Richmond, though the Tigers last night did not wish to discuss the offer.
"The club has not received any formal representations in relation to Ben Cousins," a spokeswoman said. "We don't want to comment on hypotheticals."
The spokeswoman added the club expected in the next couple of months to secure a co-major sponsor to join idiot Smith Electronics.
A conglomerate of family members makes up the Dimattina Group, which owns Carlton restaurants Il Gambero and Dimattina's and Southbank cafe Blue Train.
The group, run by Paul Dimattina since October this year when stuff handed over the reins, also owns Bourke St restaurant Society and the Dimattina Coffee company.
It is understood Terry Wallace is aware of the Dimattina offer.
Wallace first contacted Cousins and his management about three weeks ago while Brisbane and St Kilda debated the 30-year-old's future.
Cousins flew to Melbourne on Thursday, pleaded his case to Wallace and returned to Perth.
The Dimattinas, who said they would not impose conditions on how the club spent the donation, have also criticised corporate sponsors who have publicly interfered in Cousins's bid to return to football.
"From a sponsorship perspective, all the other sponsors have too much to say in a negative aspect," Paul Dimattina said.
"There's been a lot of people who haven't supported the guy from what I've been reading. Everyone deserves a second shot in life.
``You would hate to see how his life may spiral out of control if he isn't given another chance."
Mr Dimattina said he would consider making the funds available to any club that took on Cousins.
"I'm sure the family would look at it," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24796271-19742,00.html
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:gobdrop
Geez this will put pressure on the club and March to change their mind on not using pick 6 on Cousins if the AFL turns us down. As much as your eyes light up at the $300k I'm not a fan of finances dictating recruiting decisions.
Also if this money is available to other clubs then a broke and desperate Melbourne could grab Cousins just for the sake of the getting their hands on some easy cash.
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I'm sure it's a nice gesture from a generous Richmond man. The timing doesn't sit well with me though.
Rewarding something you like after it has happened without announcing you will beforehand removes any possibility of being accused of manipulation.
What's next? From a more unsavory source to put on some pressure, concrete shoes for you if you do/don't play Cousins?
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In the current financial climate a $300,000 donation coming on top of a major sponsorship announcement probably this week, means we have to take the risk on Cousins. In effect we are now being paid to pick him, hes not gonna cost us anything ... infact we are substantially profiting from drafting Cousins. If we could get this $300,000 + say another $1 million from another sponsor then that puts the club in a very strong financial position in 2008-2009 financial year.
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This is getting off it's t@s with perks even if Cousins hits the wall. :o
Just wow.
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I have to say I am not sure about this... yep in these times you'd take the $$$$
But why is it dependant on Ben Cousins?
With all due respect to the Dimmatina Family if they can afford to kick in $300k then just do it, sign as a sponsor don't link it the recruitment of one particular player....
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I have to say I am not sure about this... yep in these times you'd take the $$$$
But why is it dependant on Ben Cousins?
With all due respect to the Dimmatina Family if they can afford to kick in $300k then just do it, sign as a sponsor don't link it the recruitment of one particular player....
I agree WP. I think it is opportunistic and grandstanding and very poorly timed for both club and player.
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it's grouse !
Relax.
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it's grouse !
Relax.
grouse??
at least we all know brackets resides in the Western Suburbs
For what its worth its great news. More money coming in for really what. If RFC pull it off then they deserve every windfall that comes their way
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it's grouse !
Relax.
grouse??
at least we all know brackets resides in the Western Suburbs
For what its worth its great news. More money coming in for really what. If RFC pull it off then they deserve every windfall that comes their way
The day you learn how to start and finish sentences will be the day that you will be qualified to criticise others.
:wallywink
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it's grouse !
Relax.
grouse??
at least we all know brackets resides in the Western Suburbs
For what its worth its great news. More money coming in for really what. If RFC pull it off then they deserve every windfall that comes their way
The day you learn how to start and finish sentences will be the day that you will be qualified to criticise others.
:wallywink
Thats grouse............
:lol
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it's grouse !
Relax.
grouse??
at least we all know brackets resides in the Western Suburbs
For what its worth its great news. More money coming in for really what. If RFC pull it off then they deserve every windfall that comes their way
The day you learn how to start and finish sentences will be the day that you will be qualified to criticise others.
:wallywink
Thats grouse............
:lol
...and learn what an apostrophe is as well.
:thumbsup
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it's grouse !
Relax.
grouse??
at least we all know brackets resides in the Western Suburbs
For what its worth its great news. More money coming in for really what. If RFC pull it off then they deserve every windfall that comes their way
The day you learn how to start and finish sentences will be the day that you will be qualified to criticise others.
:wallywink
Thats grouse............
:lol
...and learn what an apostrophe is as well.
:thumbsup
thanks for the tip champ, ill study it tonight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostrophe
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Whats all this talk about poultry ?????/
Paltry is what Cousins brings to the table for Richmond's sustainable medium term tilt at a flag.
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On SEN today they played an interview with stuff Dimmatina and it seems to me that the money isnt on the table.
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On SEN today they played an interview with stuff Dimmatina and it seems to me that the money isnt on the table.
Yeah I heard that. A nice little publicity stunt at the RFC's expense ::).
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Tiger chief says club is in dark over Cousins cash offer
Jesse Hogan | December 15, 2008
RICHMOND president Gary March says the Tigers have not had any talks about a sponsorship offer that is conditional on the club reviving the AFL career of Ben Cousins.
It was reported yesterday that wealthy Melbourne restaurateur stuff Dimattina, who played for the club in the 1960s, had committed to giving Richmond up to $300,000 if it recruited the 30-year-old in tomorrow's pre-season draft.
But March said he and the club's directors "haven't heard anything" about the apparent offer to bankroll the addition of Cousins, the 2005 Brownlow medallist, to its playing list.
"We haven't spoken to anyone from the Dimattinas," he said yesterday.
Opposition from sponsors about the recruitment of Cousins, a recovering drug addict, has been cited as a factor in why at least two other AFL clubs, St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions, abandoned plans to draft him.
March would not say whether the opposite scenario — a sponsor lobbying for the recruitment of a specific player — could influence the club's recruitment strategy.
"We're talking all hypotheticals with this whole situation," he said. "As I said on Friday we're waiting for the outcome of the decision from the (AFL) commission, so we've really got nothing more to say until they make their decision."
The AFL Commission will decide today whether to allow Richmond to shift tram accident victim Graham Polak onto its rookie list for next season, even though he does not fall within the list's eligibility criteria.
Cousins' potential recruitment hinges on Richmond receiving approval, which would allow the club to select two players, instead of one, in the pre-season draft.
"We've already publicly stated that we're taking a young player with our first pick," March said.
"That decision's already been made — I'm not sure how many more times we need to say it."
The AFL last week wrote to all clubs to gauge their views on Richmond's request, which the Tigers justified on the basis Polak was "still undertaking extensive rehabilitation after suffering an acquired brain injury". Fremantle and Collingwood have expressed opposition to the request.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/tigers-in-the-dark/2008/12/14/1229189447234.html
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No cash bonus for Richmond if they draft Cousins: Dimattina
Staff writer | December 15, 2008
FORMER Richmond rover and prominent restaurateur stuff Dimattina yesterday confirmed he was a strong supporter of the Tigers and would love to see Ben Cousins play for the club.
But the The 62-year-old patriarch of the Dimattina restaurant business said he could not provide an incentive for the club to draft the troubled star.
"I'm a great Richmond supporter and I'd love to see Ben Cousins play with the Tigers, if he is in the right condition - and we all hope for Ben's sake he is," Dimattina said.
"(But) we are in no way that situation where we're a rich restaurant.
"All restaurants are battling. Everything is a little bit tougher. We're not in the big league by any stretch of the imagination."
It was reported yesterday that Dimattina's son Paul had offered a $300,000 reward to Richmond if the club drafted Cousins.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24799305-19742,00.html
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How did this get started in the first place lol
Farce :rollin
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How did this get started in the first place lol
Farce :rollin
Just listening to a replay on SEN with stuff Dimmatina ( The head of the Dimmitina family / group )
Apparently his son Paul made some remarks that were taken out of context. He said his son is a very passionate Richmond supporter and advocate of a Ben Cousins return. But is known for speaking before he thinks. stuff, being the head of the family again confirmed there has been no money approved for the Ben to Punt Rd fund.
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How did this get started in the first place lol
Farce :rollin
Just listening to a replay on SEN with stuff Dimmatina ( The head of the Dimmitina family / group )
Apparently his son Paul made some remarks that were taken out of context. He said his son is a very passionate Richmond supporter and advocate of a Ben Cousins return. But is known for speaking before he thinks. stuff, being the head of the family again confirmed there has been no money approved for the Ben to Punt Rd fund.
What a cheap way of adveritising your business
They should cough up $300,000 for the free adverts :banghead
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How did this get started in the first place lol
Farce :rollin
Just listening to a replay on SEN with stuff Dimmatina ( The head of the Dimmitina family / group )
Apparently his son Paul made some remarks that were taken out of context. He said his son is a very passionate Richmond supporter and advocate of a Ben Cousins return. But is known for speaking before he thinks. stuff, being the head of the family again confirmed there has been no money approved for the Ben to Punt Rd fund.
What a cheap way of adveritising your business
They should cough up $300,000 for the free adverts :banghead
I know you shouldn't speak ill of the dead but this was straight out of the Crazy John advertising book.