Ben Cousins - what action should the AFL take?

[2020hindsight]

This from a fortnight ago (see also photo)

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22515734%5E20322,00.html
Sources have confirmed Cousins was with Mainwaring at his Perth home on Sunday.

The Brownlow medallist went to check on his mate, who was at the tail end of a weekend bender after his marriage breakdown.

Mainwaring's binge involved cannabis and ecstasy, Perth's Channel 9 reported last night.

Also from then..

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/02/2048973.htm
Devastated Cousins was with Mainwaring: West Coast
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2007 2:30pm AEST
Updated Tue Oct 2, 2007 3:09pm AEST

Long-term friends ... the Eagles are concerned about the impact Chris Mainwaring's death will have on former skipper Ben Cousins

This from yesterday
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/18/2063531.htm

Eagles uncertain if Cousins tested after Mainwaring's death
Posted Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:46pm AEST
Updated Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:48pm AEST

Cousins was one of the last people to see Chris Mainwaring alive. (AAP: Tony McDonough)

Video: Cousins to fight drugs charges (ABC News) Audio: Cousins to return to rehab (PM) Map: Perth 6000
Related Story: Cousins to plead not guilty to charges Related Story: Companies reconsider Eagles sponsorships The West Coast Eagles have admitted they do not know whether Ben Cousins was drug tested on the night sports broadcaster Chris Mainwaring died.

Ths from today (as per the last few posts). - who knows what's really going on here - gotta be more that just whether Cousins had a few pills or not (imo)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/19/2064629.htm

Police drop Cousins drug charge
Posted 5 hours 35 minutes ago
Updated 1 hour 42 minutes ago

The drug possession charge related to valium-based diazepam tablets being found on Cousins without a prescription. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)

Video: Cousins drug charge dropped (ABC News) Audio: Eagles won't take Cousins back despite dropped charge (PM) Map: Perth 6000
Perth Police have admitted they made a mistake by charging former West Coast Eagles player Ben Cousins with possession of a prohibited drug.

I notice the West Australian front page is saying he'll be pretty much unemplyable after his football career ends - "spoiled goods" in the marketing sense etc.

Gee whiz it would be nice if the police told us the facts without the spin.

 

[Prospector]

Is refusing to take a roadside test a heinous crime?

Well, it is treated that way by the courts. It is presumptive of guilt, and the fines/penalties are the same as if the test is positive for alcohol/drugs. This is the second time he has avoided either a breath or blood test after 'incidents'. He is hardly off the hook, I dont understand this talk of suing - one charge (valium) was dropped; but if he was driving and his driving ability was affected by even legally prescribed valium, that is still an offence. Unfortunately he refused a blood test - which would have either cleared him or provided the evidence to convict him. He was keen to take a blood test after the recent death of his friend, why was he reluctant to take one the other day I wonder!

 

[kgee]

Unbelievable story this. Witch hunt and kangaroo court are two phrases that come to mind.

How the media can place so much pressure on an individual who is undergoing drug rehabilitation and has just lost one of his best mates in tragic circumstances beggars belief.

Put me staight here but weren't his friends death drug related??

 

[godzillaismad]

Ben can sue the police and WCE for deformation and he might end up rich enough to enjoy life and never need to find another job!

 

[kgee]

Ben can sue the police and WCE for deformation and he might end up rich enough to enjoy life and never need to find another job!

so you mean he might never have to really work at all?

 

[nomore4s]

Well, it is treated that way by the courts. It is presumptive of guilt, and the fines/penalties are the same as if the test is positive for alcohol/drugs. This is the second time he has avoided either a breath or blood test after 'incidents'. He is hardly off the hook, I dont understand this talk of suing - one charge (valium) was dropped; but if he was driving and his driving ability was affected by even legally prescribed valium, that is still an offence. Unfortunately he refused a blood test - which would have either cleared him or provided the evidence to convict him. He was keen to take a blood test after the recent death of his friend, why was he reluctant to take one the other day I wonder!

Was he definately tested after Mainwaring's death though? I thought I read somewhere that he wasn't tested, at least not by the WCE, can anyone clear this up for me?
Also was the charge of refusing a blood test also dropped or are they still proceeding with that charge?

 

[nomore4s]

Ben can sue the police and WCE for deformation and he might end up rich enough to enjoy life and never need to find another job!

If he's managed his money right he'd have enough to enjoy life & not work now. He would have been earning at least a mil a year with endorsments etc, wouldn't he?

so you mean he might never have to really work at all?

lol

 

[kgee]

As for all those journos stacking the timber to burn someone with an addiction at the stake, shame on you. What if he was your son?

Rant, rant, rant ...

I'd dis-own him simple as that.

 

[Bushman]

Put me staight here but weren't his friends death drug related??

Err I would place a drug related death at the age of 42 as a 'tragic circumstance'. I have one philosophy in life that I try to adhere to. 'There, but for the grace of God, go I'.

The emphasis is on the loss of a human life rather than some sham moral argument. Drugs are a part of society. Some people, due to a variety of mental and social issues, take drugs. When one of them, a good man by all accounts, succumbs to a drug related death, then it is a tragedy in my eyes. Further when another tries to overcome his addiction by checking into rehabilitation then I think we owe him the chance to overcome his addiction. Addiction is hard to shake and it takes time and support to overcome an addiction. A media fuelled moral witch hunt certainly wont be helping him in anyway.

 

[kgee]

Err I would place a drug related death at the age of 42 as a 'tragic circumstance'. I have one philosophy in life that I try to adhere to. 'There, but for the grace of God, go I'.
.

Does that try and excuse you from any personal responsibility?
Ben cousins is a mess... a man without any dignity but we might forgive him because he's a sportsman?
or because he is what he is?
yes I have sympathty with people that have struggled with drugs....but this is more than that; this is a "blessed son"- (like Iccaruss)
I don't know the guy but I've seen the "footage" just show me one iota of dignity and I might consider what I've said...but for me...I don't think he regrets a thing apart from being caught.
I'm not great at evaluating people ...

 

[Sprinter79]

The ONLY charge that was dropped was the drug possession one, not the failing to undertake a driver assessment (ie drug test). Failing to comply with that lawful request carries a fair penalty, and in some instances can warrant a jail term. PLUS, there will be more charges laid pending the results of forensic testing (ie that $20 note found with traces of drugs on it).

As for all the talk about law suits, it depends what was written into the contract, and over the coming days I'm sure that will become common knowledge, so suing for breach of contract may not be successful. In terms of defamation, has the AFL or the WCE actually said anything defamatory? In order to substantiate that claim, Cousins' character would have to be analysed, and well, we all know what he's been up to over the last few years, plus all the stuff that has been swept under the carpet (including recent troubles up in Broome).

 

[hangseng]

Does that try and excuse you from any personal responsibility?
Ben cousins is a mess... a man without any dignity but we might forgive him because he's a sportsman?
or because he is what he is?
yes I have sympathty with people that have struggled with drugs....but this is more than that; this is a "blessed son"- (like Iccaruss)
I don't know the guy but I've seen the "footage" just show me one iota of dignity and I might consider what I've said...but for me...I don't think he regrets a thing apart from being caught.
I'm not great at evaluating people ...

You are 100% correct!
You don't know the guy; and
Your not great at evaluating people.

The rubbish being posted here based on media hype is amasing, the herd mentality is clearly alive and well.

Listen to those who know not journo's who thrive on hype and speculation that sells papers.

Listen to Tom Percy QC (who doesn't like Cousins by the way).

Listen to Dr McNeil world renoun in drug rehabilitation.

Listen the the Dr who DID test Ben for drugs, not the "I heard he didn't get tested".

Listen facts not the speculative hype. Ben has made some life errors no doubt, stand up one of you who hasn't!

 

[aaronphetamine]

What do tasmanians and meth have in common ?

they both f**K cousins.

hahah.

 

[Prospector]

.

Listen the the Dr who DID test Ben for drugs, not the "I heard he didn't get tested".

Listen facts not the speculative hype. Ben has made some life errors no doubt, stand up one of you who hasn't!

I also understand he wasn't tested, although he requested it. Again media discussion. Which Doctor did the test? I haven't heard him speak out nor read about him. Yet you have? I would be interested in reading about that.

Actually, I think I can stand up for not having made any poor life choices. I don't and have never, even smoked - cigarettes or anything else. I dont drink much alcohol, haven't driven while drunk, never got a speeding ticket even. Amazing what experiencing someone else's experience with a life threatening illness can do for the things one chooses to do with their lifestyle though. Why throw away a life with booze and drugs when others are struggling to stay alive.

And today I read a story of a teenage girl in Adelaide, who a few months ago received a new heart after being on a mechanical heart for many weeks. She was not expected to live for much lomger without a transplant. She has made an amazing recovery and just recently returned to play Basketball for her school. She is a sporting legend, not those who just happen to get lucky yet throw it away. (I think her heart transplant is featuring on 'The gift' on Thursday night, Channel 9.)

 

[hangseng]

I also understand he wasn't tested, although he requested it. Again media discussion. Which Doctor did the test? I haven't heard him speak out nor read about him. Yet you have? I would be interested in reading about that.

Straight from Dr. Rod Moore live on Ch7 news last night;
Every WA newspaper, TV and radio station;
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/ne...er-mates-demise/2007/10/02/1191091115098.html

I take it you don't live in WA. I wouldn't expect the Melb media would report anything positive or factual, that would have been conveniently edited to maintain the "I heard" hype.

Facts, not fiction or fantasy.

Add this in as well:
"Under the AFL policy, a player cannot be suspended by the AFL until he tests positive out-of-competition to illicit drugs three times."

Cousins has never returned a positive test.

 

[Prospector]

Thanks Hang Seng, will check it out. You comment about the Victorian media but I also get the impression that WA isnt all that positive either? Or maybe it is those pesky Docker supporters.

I agree that he has never received a positive AFL drug test, but maybe that says more about the AFL drug policy than anything else. And when you see the likes of Marion Jones getting the all clear in Sydney 2000, after a highly publicised 'you will get caught campaign' the year before, well, as you say Cousins isnt the only one who is involved in such activities. Another thing about Cousins that gets me somewhat amped is that, like Peter Costello, he has this unfortunate smirk on his face. But of course, that is just a little part of the problem I see.

 

[tech/a]

Well I have had a concern from a different angle.

Daughter was going out with one of the West Coast players.
Currently dating a local SANFL player.

I'm watching like a hawk and not the Hawthorn type either.

 

[Prospector]

Maybe it is the media negative spin again, but it certainly makes one wonder what else there is we dont know yet:

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22595619-5006301,00.html

 

[chops_a_must]

Add this in as well:
"Under the AFL policy, a player cannot be suspended by the AFL until he tests positive out-of-competition to illicit drugs three times."

Cousins has never returned a positive test.

It doesn't matter. Refusing to provide a sample to any authorities (police included) is an automatic 2 year ban from sport.

Maybe it is the media negative spin again, but it certainly makes one wonder what else there is we dont know yet:

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22595619-5006301,00.html

Yeah, you wouldn't have seen it in SA, but this has been a long long saga. Even in the local prosh (UWA yearly fundraising joke paper) in 2001, had a multi page special on the Eagles drug use. This was just after some Eagles players had had their phones tapped, and could be heard ordering drugs.

Jakovich was quoted in the paper, saying, "I'm not smart but I can lift heavy things". It is widely regarded that he wasn't given the captaincy over this fiasco, being blamed as the ring leader. Cousins was given it ahead of him. And Jakovich has seemingly held a grudge about it ever since. And in retrospect, probably rightly so.

 

[IFocus]

Hi Tech

Hanson is center half forward (when not injured), West Coast picked him up from Victoria, his father who has had a long look at West Coast and its players to ensure his son was in good hands was commenting in the media about any young draft picks hesitating going to the Eagles because of the media attention to contact him so he could set them straight.

Being positive news about the WCE i guess no one heard it......


Focus