Ben Cousins' 2010 contract with Richmond to double (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Ben Cousins' 2010 contract with Richmond to double
Jon Ralph | August 05, 2009

RICHMOND recruit Ben Cousins' superb recent form will reward him with a pay rise that will more than double his pay.

Cousins, who has been one of Richmond's best players in the past month, notches his 250th AFL game against Sydney on Sunday.

Cousins is keen to play next year and the Tigers have all but guaranteed he will be given another contract, barring catastrophic injury.

The 31-year-old has not only been the recruit of the year, but also extraordinary value for the Tigers.

The bargain-basement superstar is believed to have signed for a base salary of $110,000 plus incentives that would push his total to between $150,000 and $170,000.

Given he has played only 11 of the club's 18 games because of hamstring and finger injuries, it is unlikely he would have earned that top rate.

While an established footballer without any of his baggage could earn up to $600,000 in the form Cousins has displayed, he is more likely to accept between $300,000 and $400,000.

The Tigers could easily formulate a base contract of about $250,000 with heavy incentives to earn a salary Cousins believes he deserves.

It is not known how they will structure the deal, but the Tigers will wait until season's end before working on the contract.

While Cousins missed five games from Round 2-6 with a hamstring injury, then two games with a hand injury and then illness, he is running into impressive form.

He has averaged 31 quality possessions in the past month.

He received nine of a possible 10 votes in the AFL Coaches' Association's votes for his performance against Melbourne on Sunday.

The Tigers will have no salary cap issues next year, with former captain Kane Johnson retired and Joel Bowden, Troy Simmonds and possibly Nathan Brown all set to depart.

While Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon could play hard ball on his salary, it is believed he is happy to accept a compromise given his age and the extraordinary circumstances.

It is likely to be a one-year deal, but that does not mean Cousins has only one season of football left in his body.

The Tigers have been thrilled with his form, behaviour and team-oriented focus, with teammate Brett Deledio last week urging him to consider playing on well into his 30s.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25884609-19742,00.html

[Moi]

My scoop  told me this over a month ago
Well done Mini Jack lol 

Wrap him up in cotton wool, Tiges and get him through the rest of the year.   Hopefully our medical staff will stay away from him 

Good news for the club but, more importantly, for Ben.  He's worked hard and earned this 

[WilliamPowell]

Well done Froars 

There was never any chance of Ben going anywhere - he wants to stay and finish his career as a Tiger.

Better throw in one of these I suppose 

Or should I say FACT 

[Jackstar is back]

Just keep Doctor Death away from him

[WilliamPowell]

Just keep Doctor Death away from him

  I think Ben now knows it better to run the opposite way when Dr Death starts coming towards you 

Perhaps he should forward that message to big Rick 

[Go Richo 12]

Ben is like another member of the coaching staff

[2JD]

Well done Froars 

There was never any chance of Ben going anywhere - he wants to stay and finish his career as a Tiger.

Better throw in one of these I suppose 

Or should I say FACT 

  Great news!

[wayne]

You could give him 3 years if you wanted.

He's the type of player that gets a game every week, but if injury starts to hinder him, he'd retire.

We wouldn't be stuck with a list clogger is what i'm trying to say.

[mat073]

This wonderful news is music to my ears.

[Ramps]

No point playing him now, I agree put him away for the season. Its been a successful 1st year. And yes he deserves his pay rise and his new contract.

[Chuck17]

No point playing him now, I agree put him away for the season.

Yep him and Richo plus anyone with a niggle.  Even though I think 2010 we will struggle at least we can have our players fully prepared in case we actually have a good start to the season. 

[Smokey]

No point playing him now, I agree put him away for the season.

Yep him and Richo plus anyone with a niggle.  Even though I think 2010 we will struggle at least we can have our players fully prepared in case we actually have a good start to the season. 

Only problem with that is players on performance-based contracts like Cousins only get the real dollars when they play.  If they are fit I can't see too many taking a hit for the team and sitting out the rest of the season just to be ready for next season.

[Chuck17]

Only problem with that is players on performance-based contracts like Cousins only get the real dollars when they play.  If they are fit I can't see too many taking a hit for the team and sitting out the rest of the season just to be ready for next season.

Yep 100% right Smokey that would not happen unless the club would compensate the player for those performance based contracts and even then the player would probably still want to play.

[Infamy]

I'd be more than happy to give him a 3 year deal that has him switch to a coaching role if his body doesn't hold up.

[tiga]

No point playing him now, I agree put him away for the season. Its been a successful 1st year. And yes he deserves his pay rise and his new contract.

What?? there is no way Cuz would give up on us trying to achieve another illustrious ninth place finish.