Interesting article on Ben Cousins and St Kilda

[RoseInOz]

Article by Patrick Smith.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html

[n1ck]

"Cousins was suspended without testing positive to illicit drugs. The AFL said that, prior to his suspension, a mix of 14 match-day and out-of-competition testing had returned clean results for the Brownlow medallist.

Yet he was still suspended for a year while the AFL had on its books players who had twice tested positive to banned illicit drugs but were allowed to continue their careers. Mixed message does not go close to describing the mess."


The only good part of the article.

[stinger]

yep.......makes the afl look kinda silly...not ben cousins....

[Enrico_Misso]

while the AFL had on its books players who had twice tested positive to banned illicit drugs but were allowed to continue their careers.

edit: deleted by mods

[RoseInOz]

Some people seem to be down on Ben Cousins because of his addiction.
As the parent of 2 adult children I have always said that any parent, these days, who thinks their child has not, or will not, try drugs is living in a dream world.
I also believe that everyone deserves a second chance. I would like to think that if my children wandered from the path that others would be willing to help them and give them another go.
I was told by a psychologist that most young people who have had a strong family upbringing may deviate from the path, but the values and morals they are given when they are young will stand them in good stead, and they will return to live good healthy lives.
Maybe this is what we should be hoping for the young man who is Ben Cousins.

[ctqs]

Some people seem to be down on Ben Cousins because of his addiction.
As the parent of 2 adult children I have always said that any parent, these days, who thinks their child has not, or will not, try drugs is living in a dream world.
I also believe that everyone deserves a second chance. I would like to think that if my children wandered from the path that others would be willing to help them and give them another go.
I was told by a psychologist that most young people who have had a strong family upbringing may deviate from the path, but the values and morals they are given when they are young will stand them in good stead, and they will return to live good healthy lives.
Maybe this is what we should be hoping for the young man who is Ben Cousins.

Second chance, yes, of course. But what about a third?
As for returning to the values and morals they were taught as a child, the issue I have with that is that can go out the window with drug addiction. He will have that craving hanging hanging around for a long, long time. That is something he won't have a say in. He can do things to limit lapses by avoiding situations where it will be accessible, but an addiction is an addiction. I say that as an observation, not a criticism.

[ctqs]

This is the bit that gets me.
"That St Kilda is attracted at all after club president Greg Westaway made his extraordinary attack on drugs and alcohol in football a little more than 12 months ago is stupendous hypocrisy. It proves that the club president's attack before he swept to power was a convenience of politics and hardly an anti-drug crusade. "
Why? How is it hypocritcal to support someone who is trying to kick a habit and let them get back on with life? Is Cousins to be a pariah forever? Is he to be punished instead of supported? I would've thought helping someone rebuild by providing them with support, activity, purpose and focus would be part of the very essence of an anti-drugs campaign.

[Eastern]

Article written by Patrick Smith, former district cricketer for Prahran. Smith alleges he was a medium fast bowler. Umpiring records show Smith to be a medium fast CHUCKER, the lowest of low as far as bowlers are concerned !!

[Enrico_Misso]

while the AFL had on its books players who had twice tested positive to banned illicit drugs but were allowed to continue their careers.

edit: deleted by mods

Hey,
I didn't name anyone.
(Though everyone has heard the rumour )

[n1ck]

while the AFL had on its books players who had twice tested positive to banned illicit drugs but were allowed to continue their careers.

edit: deleted by mods

Hey,
I didn't name anyone.
(Though everyone has heard the rumour )

Most people have heard the rumour, yes - but Im not taking any chances with the uproar these rumours have created in the past. No point running with the bulls when you could get gored by a lawyer

[Teflon]

Collingwood board indicating Cousins is nominating for National draft? WTF?

IF thats true....is that an inication he aint going to Pies and wants to sure up a deal elsewhere?

hhmmm...

Buckley also stated at a book launch in Tas today that Cousins doesnt suit a young Pies list and would be better at a club on the verge of success.....his views only ofcourse......

I honestly dont know why Collingwood would take him - hed be in a midfield thats poor, still developing with not much round him. Ok maybe as a "mentor" but its a big risk for a "mentor"...............

[groupie1]

good points.
I thought we should have gone for Kerr, and THEN Cousins if we got Kerr.
If we go for Cousins, we should make a play for Robert Harvey coming back. We need two high quality mids to add to the Ball, Hayes, Monty, NDS, Gram, Goddard rotation.
Cousins and one other - Harvey - would get us very close this year.

We should pursue him.

Can someone PM me the players on 2 strikes. or email me paul.dehavilland@gmail.com

If it's what i've heard, I know another big rumour.

[Thinline]

Maybe this is what we should be hoping for the young man who is Ben Cousins.

What? You mean Ben Cousin's isn't really Ben Cousins? Who is this young interloper who's been mascarading as West Coast's finest flawed son?

[RoseInOz]

What I meant was that maybe people should look past the player who is Ben Cousins and look at a young man who has slipped a bit in life. How many of us have children who have not done that, and wish that some one would give them another go?

[degruch]

Collingwood board indicating Cousins is nominating for National draft? WTF?

IF thats true....is that an inication he aint going to Pies and wants to sure up a deal elsewhere?

Is anyone sure he will get clearance from the AFL before the end of this week? If not, he'll miss the PSD and the National Draft would be his only option.

[saintm]

Collingwood board indicating Cousins is nominating for National draft? WTF?

IF thats true....is that an inication he aint going to Pies and wants to sure up a deal elsewhere?

Is anyone sure he will get clearance from the AFL before the end of this week? If not, he'll miss the PSD and the National Draft would be his only option.

I don't think the AFL are due to make a ruling on whether Cousins can return to the game until the middle of November. Without looking up the actual dates, the National Draft is at the end of November and the Pre-Season Draft is in the middle of December. IIRC, the AFL said that Ben did not have to nominate for the National Draft and could be picked up via the Pre-Season Draft.

edit - dates re AFL decision are contained in the article link in the first post of this thread.

[SainterK]

Just read an interesting article (heraldsun) saying Lions are interested in Cousins also, to replace retired midfielder Lappin....

[evertonfc]

Getting worried now...if Brisbane have entered the fray they present a real hurdle - if Sydney are interested, it's all over IMO.

Geez I hope we give it a massive shake. Be gutted if we miss out to another Victorian club.

[stinger]

Some people seem to be down on Ben Cousins because of his addiction.
As the parent of 2 adult children I have always said that any parent, these days, who thinks their child has not, or will not, try drugs is living in a dream world.
I also believe that everyone deserves a second chance. I would like to think that if my children wandered from the path that others would be willing to help them and give them another go.
I was told by a psychologist that most young people who have had a strong family upbringing may deviate from the path, but the values and morals they are given when they are young will stand them in good stead, and they will return to live good healthy lives.
Maybe this is what we should be hoping for the young man who is Ben Cousins.

sensible post