Cousins Commentary

[Beaussie]

Firstly, congratulation Eagles, the best team won on the night. That aside, was anyone else thinking the commentary about Cousins was over the top. Fair dinkum, it seemed like the commentators were celebrating a self-confessed drug bags return to football. Fantastic role model for the next generation eh.

[dogsact]

Personally, I will refuse to watch Eagles games. He should not be playing this year. I know he did no technically test positive to drugs but fuck him, I have lost all respect for him and the Eagles. Especialy when Kerr practically indictes himself on tape, and no action is taken. The Eagles are dead to me! Im going to Perth for a holiday on friday, partying regularly is the plan. I will let you know if I see Cuz or Jeff Farmer out! lol. I almost expect it!

[kaskill]

Ben did play a good game but i agree the comentary was well over the top i mean even when cuzins got the ball and for example hand balled it to absolutly noone the comentators celebrated like it was new years eve! i think they carry on to much these days when half the time they dont know what they're talking about they just hype things up for tv! i think there are alot of players in the AFL that act like celebritys and take drugs cuzins was just unfortunant enough to get busted i remember 3 years ago at the brownlow awards they swobbed the toilet seats and found traces of every drug under the sun on them.

[Beaussie]

What a joke.

Drug tests yet to start for Cousins
Digby Beacham, Perth | July 23, 2007
http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/drug- ... 48413.html

WEST Coast midfielder Ben Cousins was not drug-tested either before or immediately after his triumphant return against Sydney at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Despite assurances from the AFL that Cousins was to face the most stringent testing on his celebrated return to the game, the 2005 Brownlow medallist was not required to provide a urine sample after his stunning 38-possession display.

He was also allowed to complete yesterday's recovery session without any extra scrutiny.

"Our position is we don't confirm or deny our testing and who has been tested," an AFL spokesman said. "Ben Cousins can be tested by ASADA (the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority) on game day for performance-enhancing drugs and he is subject to the AFL's illicit drugs policy, which means he can be tested any time of the season."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou issued a stern warning this month, on the eve of Cousins' proposed round-14 comeback match against the Brisbane Lions.

He said Cousins would face weekly testing as he endeavoured to rebuild a career halted during the pre-season by West Coast, which officially suspended him for failing to meet training commitments.

Soon afterwards, Cousins flew to Malibu in the US to have treatment for methamphetamine addiction.

"He will be target-tested, in my view, for the rest of his career," Demetriou said at the time.

"He will be target-tested regularly on a weekly basis, both by the AFL and ASADA under the world anti-doping code, and he knows that."

Privately, club officials and teammates are not concerned about the rigorous testing facing Cousins, clearly confident that he is winning his substance abuse problem and is committed to his pledge to remain sober.

The Eagles face massive ramifications should Cousins transgress, including the loss of premiership points or draft picks, but are delighted to have him back and feel no pressure about ending his suspension.

AFL medical officers Dr Harry Unglik and Dr Peter Harcourt, who have worked closely with West Coast doctor Rod Moore, officially rubber-stamped the former Eagles captain's return on July 5.

Cousins agreed to a strict set of conditions before he could play again, including reimbursing the club for expenses associated with the trip to California and a significant pay cut.

Coach John Worsfold and members of his match committee, along with senior club officials, have constantly remarked that the 29-year-old, who has never failed an AFL drug test, has returned to his old self and therefore deserved the chance to resume his career.

Cousins was in great spirits yesterday morning when he arrived at the club and showed no ill-effects from his stunning return when he tallied 22 kicks and 16 handballs, leaving him one possession shy of his career-high 39.

He was given a standing ovation when he entered the match in the sixth minute and quickly adjusted to the tempo, showing his characteristic talent that enabled him to find plenty of the ball.

[LisaJ]

Personally, I will refuse to watch Eagles games. He should not be playing this year. I know he did no technically test positive to drugs but **** him, I have lost all respect for him and the Eagles. Especialy when Kerr practically indictes himself on tape, and no action is taken. The Eagles are dead to me! Im going to Perth for a holiday on friday, partying regularly is the plan. I will let you know if I see Cuz or Jeff Farmer out! lol. I almost expect it!

hehe..well Farmer has announced he has issues with alcohol (like we didn't know) but well...I didn't watch the game on Sat night but heard it was fantastic...as with Kerr and Cousins, Im not that great a fan of theirs anyways..

I do have a question, and I probably should as my dad cos he would know, but is Jeff Farmer related to Polly Farmer?

[kaskill]

players cant keep carrying on the way they are these people are meant to be roll models for kids and they know that when they take up the job as a player and i think it can only go so far when they are coming out saying they have problems with drugs or alcohol ect i mean 2 me its a cop out so everyone says oh poor him and they get another chance! then again if they really want these people to be role models for kids then why dont they shut up when something goes wrong sort it out in the AFL that way nobody knows and players look like the hero's the kids think they are! you dont see it getting posted all over the news about any other person with addictions and if they did thats all news would be!