Cousins gamble proves some punts do pay Shane Crawford
Herald Sun
February 28, 2011EVERY AFL club is insisting that Brendan Fevola is not on their 2012 shopping list.
But that could change next year if Fev does all the right things in the VFL this year.
He can still be a very damaging player, given he has just turned 30, and if he gets his mind and body right, I still believe he could kick somewhere between 60 and 80 goals in 2012 and 2013.
Some clubs would kill to have a player capable of that.
But it all comes back to how Fev conducts himself in the next next six months, and whether he can make it hard for clubs not to take a punt on him. Imagine if he were to kick 100 goals in the VFL this year. For some clubs, it would be hard to say no.
He will come cheap on an incentive-based contract of somewhere between $150,000 and $250,000. He would also come with a very late draft selection, a throwaway pick, if you like.
Granted, he would come with considerable baggage. That's why you could expect to have a behaviour clause in any contract that comes his way in the future.
Richmond took a punt on Ben Cousins when no one else would touch him. No one ever thought Cousins would ever get another chance after his drug issues emerged and caused him to be deregistered by the AFL for a year.
So there's still a chance for Fev, regardless of what clubs are saying publicly.
Would the AFL let Fev play again?
I can't see why not, given they let Cousins play the game again, bringing a much better closure to his career. Given his desire to live in Melbourne, I would automatically rule out any non-Victorian club.
There are three clubs best placed to offer Fevola a lifeline in 2012.
RICHMOND
The Tigers proved with Cousins that they can take in a troubled soul and work on making him better. Fev is also very close friends with captain Chris Newman, so that might play a role in it.
Damien Hardwick is a very tough coach and that's what Fev would need to keep him fit and focused. Fev might also take the strain off Jack Riewoldt a bit in 2012 if he got the chance. They are a developing, young side, but they proved with Cuz that they can take a punt and it can pay dividends.WESTERN BULLDOGSFev could be a replacement for Barry Hall if Hall retires at the end of the season. He will only be 31 next season, so that would allow him the chance to have two or maybe three years in the system. Rodney Eade normally has a great relationship with his players, so that would help, too.
Countering that would be the Dogs' collective memory of Jason Akermanis' departure. The Dogs don't want distractions, so Fev would need to demonstrate there would not be any if he was to have another chance.
ST KILDARoss Lyon has shown a willingness to take a punt on recycled players. The decision to pick Andrew Lovett in late 2009 proved to be disastrous and may influence any decision to chase Fevola. Also the club has had a number of off-field troubles that might also preclude it.
But if Fev shows himself to be a reformed character, and if the premiership window is still there for the Saints, they might just be tempted to take a punt.
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