Cousins to miss clash with Hawks (Australian)

[one-eyed]

I couldn't find this on the web so I scanned it in.....

Cousins to miss clash with Hawks
By Greg Denham
Mon 08 Feb 2010, Page 35 

Richmond appears set to rest its best player, Ben Cousins, for Saturday night's NAB Cup first-round clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.

Cousins is not under any injury cloud and his preparation will include participation in pre-season practice matches before the Tigers' match with Carlton in the opening match of the season on March 25.

The 2005 Brownlow medallist is likely to be joined on the sidelines by ruckman Troy Simmonds, who is overcoming a back injury, Daniel Jackson (back) and Nathan Foley, who had ankle surgery last month and will struggle to be fit for the start of the season.

Richmond's first national draft selection Dustin Martin, the overall third pick, is certain to make his debut, while other newcomers include Mitch Farmer, David Astbury and Jeromey Webberley.

Jayden Post, who played as a forward last year in his debut season, will play as a key defender against the Hawks. New coach Damian Hardwick is grooming Post for a positional switch.

[mightytiges]

Not a bad idea. We know Cuz can play. Give the younger guys a go and make them earn their spot in round 1. Good to see Astbury, Farmer and Webberley will be given a game first up.

We'll be a very young and inexperienced side so hard to see us winning but you never know in the NAB Cup. Depends on how seriously the Hawks will take it. Hopefully we are least competitive on primetime Saturday night tv for the sake of memberships.

[WA Tiger]

Does worry me a bit though with Cuz missing, without being a medical expert or anything I would rather see him push himself in a couple of NAB games, at least the first before round one that way if something niggles he will have time to get over it. I just think that last year going into round one he hadn't really had a decent hit out, come round one.... the hammy. I know he is a lot fitter this year and is being manged well and I will leave it up to the experts, just my thoughts thats all.

[WilliamPowell]

Does worry me a bit though with Cuz missing, without being a medical expert or anything I would rather see him push himself in a couple of NAB games, at least the first before round one that way if something niggles he will have time to get over it. I just think that last year going into round one he hadn't really had a decent hit out, come round one.... the hammy. I know he is a lot fitter this year and is being manged well and I will leave it up to the experts, just my thoughts thats all.

Disagree (that's better  )

If he has niggles he shouldn't be playing - get him right.

But I would think it makes more sense not to play him. A bloke of his experience doesn't need to play all the pre-season - he knows what to expect and how to prepare.

IMHO Kids on the other hand need match practice to gain conditioning and experience in the tempo of the game

[Infamy]

Does worry me a bit though with Cuz missing, without being a medical expert or anything I would rather see him push himself in a couple of NAB games, at least the first before round one that way if something niggles he will have time to get over it. I just think that last year going into round one he hadn't really had a decent hit out, come round one.... the hammy. I know he is a lot fitter this year and is being manged well and I will leave it up to the experts, just my thoughts thats all.

Can't agree at all. Nothing to gain by playing in the NAB Cup, but plenty to lose.

[WA Tiger]

Does worry me a bit though with Cuz missing, without being a medical expert or anything I would rather see him push himself in a couple of NAB games, at least the first before round one that way if something niggles he will have time to get over it. I just think that last year going into round one he hadn't really had a decent hit out, come round one.... the hammy. I know he is a lot fitter this year and is being manged well and I will leave it up to the experts, just my thoughts thats all.

Disagree (that's better  )

If he has niggles he shouldn't be playing - get him right.

But I would think it makes more sense not to play him. A bloke of his experience doesn't need to play all the pre-season - he knows what to expect and how to prepare.

IMHO Kids on the other hand need match practice to gain conditioning and experience in the tempo of the game

What I said with his niggles was is that if anything does give him niggles during the NAB cup game we have time to rest him. If he already has some niggles then no way should he play. Agree on playing the kids though, like I also said I will leave it up to the experts.