Rate a Tiger's year - 32. Ben Cousins?

[one-eyed]

After infamously doing his hammy late in the round 1 disaster after being allowed back on  , Cousins returned in round 7 to play 15 of the remaining 17 games with 30+ disposals against Adelaide, Essendon and Carlton in the return match.


          Games    Disposals  Marks    Tackles   G.B     1st poss   Clear    In50    Re50   Con.Poss    1%ers   Err
     
2003:     23          22.6       3.0        1.8      20.8
2004:     17          21.7       3.1        2.2        8.7
2005:     24          25.5       6.1        1.4      24.11
2006:     22          25.1       4.9        1.8      20.13
2007:       7          25.0       2.7        2.3       3.3
2008:     -
2009:     15          23.9       2.8        3.0        5.3           3.7       3.9      2.5      2.0        2.5         3.4     1.2

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1057
http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=150


How did we all rate Benny's debut year in yellow and black?

[mat073]

30 years of age.
Had only played 7 games in his previous 2 years.


AND STILL OUR BEST PLAYER

[yellowandback]

Modern great of our game. One of the best comebacks to the game I have ever seen.

[WA Tiger]

9 For me, could not have asked anymore out of the bloke, played his guts out in every game, a credit to himself and AFL...

[Jacosh]

8/10 from me.
Only because i have to leave room for a higher score next year.
I think if his hammys stand up next year he will be even better after doing a full pre season and knowing the playing group better.
I was one of the guys this time last year that voted no to picking him up. Once he was he had my full support as any player at RFC does and i am more than happy to admit i was wrong, he has been an awsome pickup.
He has been a credit to the club and even more so to himself. I hope he stays clean and plays next season out and maybe 1 more after that if his body can handle it.

[Smokey]

9 For me, could not have asked anymore out of the bloke, played his guts out in every game, a credit to himself and AFL...

Yep.  Like Jacosh I was not 'on-side' with him coming to us but he has proved himself a person of quality in both his professional attitude during a very crappy season at a problem-riddled club and his personal attitude in dealing with all the demons that his addiction brings.  I hope (for his sake - he owes our club nothing now) he continues on his path to a better future.

[sabartooth]

His impact was a bit overrated. It seems some people got caught up in the cuz hype. He certainly didn't help us improve this year

[Smokey]

His impact was a bit overrated. It seems some people got caught up in the cuz hype. He certainly didn't help us improve this year

No-one did.

But he was one of the very very very few that kept up his attitude, intensity and output (let's bundle that up and call it professionalism) when the many rats about him were jumping ship.

[Rodgerramjet]

8 - Provides much needed leadership as well as ability - I'd almost be tempted to make him captain, it wouldn't be the worst thing we ever did. Very unlikely to happen though.

[tdy]

His impact was a bit overrated. It seems some people got caught up in the cuz hype. He certainly didn't help us improve this year

No-one did.

But he was one of the very very very few that kept up his attitude, intensity and output (let's bundle that up and call it professionalism) when the many rats about him were jumping ship.

unlike some of the older players this year

[WilliamPowell]

One of my all time favourite players of the last 10 years

I thought what he bought to the club leadership wise was worth just as much as to what he bought on field

Will be interesting to see how he goes with a proper pre-season

[mat073]

Who is the hard taskmaster who only gave Ben 3/10 ?

[Infamy]

I gave him an 8, which could have been a touch high given his lack of full season, but massively boosted due to the leadership he's shown at the club. As someone who is happy to admit I thought it would be foolish to get him to the club, I clearly was very wrong.
He's clearly developed some humility since being overlooked in the National Draft and appears to have motivation to repay the club that showed faith in him. Hopefully I can give him a 10 next year.

[mat073]

2009 was a terrible year,however I thought Richmond played its best footy when Cousins and Cotchin were in the same team.They seemed to compliment each other really well.

2010 will be far more enjoyable if these two can get through a full pre season and combine for 20+ games.

[Darth Tiger]

Lets hope he has the good grace to know when his time is up.