Cousins given the all clear

[ozballer23]

Cousins will be beck in 09...

Cousins cleared for AFL return
By staff writers
November 18, 2008 DISGRACED former West Coast captain Ben Cousins has been given the green light to resume his career after the AFL commission officially lifted his suspension.

Cousins was banned for 12 months last November after bringing the game into disrepute over a string of drugs-related offences.

The AFL could have opted to extend his ban, but the commission on Tuesday ruled that the 2005 Brownlow Medal winner could return to the competition in 2009 provided he meets strict drug-testing criteria.

Cousins will be subjected to urine testing up to three times per week and hair sample testing up to four times a year.

"It was a tough decision," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said.

"We're dealing with a player who is a confessed addict, but he has subjected himself to strict testing and on medical advice he has made real progress.

"We give him the green light to (return) under strict testing regulations. It's over to Ben now. He wouldn't be surprised that's there are conditions. He'll have to accept them if he wants to play football again. We wish him well."

Cousins may only join a club which has a drug and alcohol program which meets the satisfaction of the AFL.

Demetriou said that if Cousins failed to cooperate with the drug testing program set out for him in any way, or returned a positive test, his penalty would be at the absolute discretion of the league's football operations manager or the AFL commission.

Their power would include the ability to instantly suspend Cousins pending the outcome of an investigation into any alleged offence.

AFL commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the considerations of the community were taken into account.

"We had to weigh up many competing interests (including) the community and integrity of the game," Fitzpatrick said.

"As custodians, we must balance the interests of any one player and the expectations of the wider community. There will be a lot of publicity. On balance we felt it was fair he be allowed to play again.

"The commission has taken the view he is entitled to play again. We very much hope he can play out the rest of his career clean."

Cousins will now be free to nominate for either the national or pre-season draft. Two clubs - St Kilda and Brisbane Lions - have expressed interest in signing the 30-year-old, with Saints captain Nick Riewoldt this week saying he would "rather be playing with him than against him".

At Tuesday's press conference, the AFL also granted Gold Coast franchise GC17 the league's 17th licence - but in 2009 the club would only be participating in the TAC Cup.

The commission decided to delay its decision on when the Gold Coast club would be included in the competition proper.

More soon...

 

[BLOWN8]

great news for everyone. come back bigger and stronger Ben and show them all that a drug addiction doesnt mean you cant still dominate the game. i didnt really rate Cousins overly high a couple of years ago, but now he is one of my fav players not at Hawthorn. cousins and andrew johns are proof you can still have an addiction and not let it affect your game.
GO BENNIE

 

[cricket_cox]

glad for him

 

[adhunt99]

Pfft, rumour is he's not going to because of the conditions they've put on it. After his previous drug use if he won't comply he shouldn't be playing. He's lucky to get even this chance.

 

[patterz123]

Pfft, rumour is he's not going to because of the conditions they've put on it. After his previous drug use if he won't comply he shouldn't be playing. He's lucky to get even this chance.

I think Cousin's management isn't happy as there are unrevealed players within the AFL with 2 strikes to positive drug testing and haven't got their own personal guidelines, where as these have been placed upon Cousins.

Cousins never tested positive to any of the AFL's drug tests and was only banned for bringing the game into disrepute, therefore he never was caught positive for drugs within the AFL, only a self confessed substance abuse problem with all his off-field antics giving him the boot from wce and a 12 month ban from the AFL.

I think thats why they are not happy with the strict regulations.

Im a huge wce and cuz fan, but at the end of the day he has to earn the trust of the AFL community once again, and what better way to do so through abiding the AFL's strict guidelines and proving he is past his issues!

 

[wall4ace]

should of been banned for life!

tosser

 

[ozballer23]

he should just be happy that he has been given a second chance. Other sports he would've been given a life ban. His latest statement to the media suggests that he will accept the conditions even though he isn't happy with them.

 

[tomanycards96]

Brisbane or saints or ????

 

[BLOWN8]

he should just be happy that he has been given a second chance. Other sports he would've been given a life ban. His latest statement to the media suggests that he will accept the conditions even though he isn't happy with them.

a life ban, how? he never tested positive.

 

[chadjaja]

So a guilty plea doesn't hold up because the police didn't catch him in the act?? You can't hide behind the small print. He never blew .05 either when he ditched his car but what person does the runner when sober or innocent??

The whole AFL testing procedures are a complete joke and completely inadequate. They can't talk about controlling drugs when they test as much as they do.

 

[ozflava]

great news for everyone. come back bigger and stronger Ben and show them all that a drug addiction doesnt mean you cant still dominate the game. i didnt really rate Cousins overly high a couple of years ago, but now he is one of my fav players not at Hawthorn. cousins and andrew johns are proof you can still have an addiction and not let it affect your game.
GO BENNIE

What happened to Johnsy? I must have missed that when I was in the states.

I say give the bloke a go. We've all made mistakes, some bigger than others. If life was over after a big mistake, a fair few peeps would be stuffed....lol. Definitely deserves punishment.....but once he has done his time, give him a go. I hope he dominates next year! (as long as he plays for the Saints....haha)

 

[ozballer23]

a life ban, how? he never tested positive.

admitance of guilt is enough.

 

[BorderMailSpecial]

Just heard a rumour from a good source on ABC radio that Cuz is likely to be picked up in the Pre-season draft. The tiges will give him an eight week trial to show that he's fit and ready.

 

[wall4ace]

Just heard a rumour from a good source on ABC radio that Cuz is likely to be picked up in the Pre-season draft. The tiges will give him an eight week trial to show that he's fit and ready.

not quite the case mate!

tigers have said they will not draft him as they already have a mature aged rookie on there list!

so to the scrap heap he goes! what a shame NOT

 

[BorderMailSpecial]

He can't come in as a rookie anyway. He's arleady been listed with a club for too long.

It may be wind in the air but it would not surprise me at all if it happens.

 

[wall4ace]

He can't come in as a rookie anyway. He's arleady been listed with a club for too long.

It may be wind in the air but it would not surprise me at all if it happens.

yeah i dint mean cuz as a rookie,was just saying that they already have a mature age recruit on there rookie list!

but now there saying if they can put polak on there rookie list they will draft cousins,cant see the AFL warming to that though!

will we see come sat if thats when the draft is!


cheers

 

[immune3]

Well without reading all the previous posts because im too drunk and dont really care.................................i have to say that after 3 hours of drunken conversations..............................any club in the afl is absolutely faa........rrrr...............kkkkkkkkkkkkiiiiiiiii.............nnnnnnnnnnnnnn mad not to pick up cousins!!!!!! surely a brownlow medalist who has lead his team to 2 premierships..........(i think) who in my opinion is a damn side better leader than judd, will get thrown a lifeline by someone.............if not i will be watching the vfl this year in protest..............i'm a stkilda supporter and was absoletly stunned when they declared they wouldnt draft the cous........................well bed time for me....................night

 

[patterz123]

good nite mate.
Agree with your drunken points! haha
Surely one club in the AFL will pick him up with a late pick ... Tigers loom as probly his best chance at this stage, but who knows?

 

[wall4ace]

i was listening to the radio today, and the guys were talking about how funny it would be if the bombers picked up cuz b4 tigers could,as peter jackson and sheeds(him helping him talk to the tigers) didnt have the best relationship and matty knights being a ex tiger!

for the bombers sake i hope he goes to richmond


cheers