Cousins to 'absolutely' play AFL

[unstable punt]

clubs takes risks with most players, whether there gona perform or not and live up to their hype
if cousins is put in to line with strong discipline and support he should be able to continue his afl career until he is around 34

would love to have him at the Demons

 

[Rockford]

In theory the AFL commission can 'block' Cousins if he attempts to nominate for the PSD.

Problem is, things might get messy from a legal point of view if the AFL try and do so.
"Why are they stopping Ben from playing"?...would be one of the questions asked.....Disrepute? That opens up a can of worms, and I'm sure Cousin's lawyer is no dill.

I initially thought he might have been back as a 30year old in 2009, but as the weeks go on it's looking more likely he'll play in 2008.

And he'll probably be at Richmond......How funny's that!

Couins for free in the PSD > Judd for Kennedy, 3 and 20.

 

[TigerTuff2008]

Depends on what sort of money clubs have....and whether they are on the rebuild.....

Adelaide - Probably not interested...as they are going for youth and rebuilding.
Brisban - Lethal smashed any chance there with his big mouth.
Carlton - No Hope, Judd...would be a bit pissed.
Collingwood - Small chance...WCE connection, money but only pick #31
Essendon - Looking for a class mid...but do they have the cash?
Freo - I think he'll want out of Perth.
Geelong - No Way!
Hawthorn - Small chance...but probably not enough cash and there reported drug issues.
Kangeroos - No money
Melbourne - Big chance if they have the room and pick to use
Port - See Adelaide
Richmond - Maybe, Can Afored him...but will they use pick #18
Sydney - No cap space
WCE - ......
WB - No cash

So i would say...essendon, richmond, collingwood & Melbourne. IMO

PEOPLE - he will not be in the national DRAFT, Ben if he does try and play this year will only be avaiable for PSD! get thatinto your HEADS!

arrgghhhhh - know your drafts before posting for gods sake

 

[SS_Fury]

either way he is 29. The pies may best be served since it seems a premiership may be looking. Richmond, carlton, essendon & melbourne would gain nothing from it. Better off drafting a kid.

 

[benrey_demons]

to the d's at pick 3 in the PSD

 

[SYDpower]

As a collingwood member i would be pleased to see us pick him up in the draft as it doesnt cost us anything.

If you were to pick him up you would have to place really strict terms in his contract, with things such as increased random blood test, etc.

Ben Cousins is in this state atm because of West Coast, they have let him down by not supporting him and jumping to conclusions. He needs to go to a club that is willing to be their and support him through the bad times so he could one day be back to how he used to play, hard and tough

That is a ludicrous assertion. West Coast have more than supported Ben, but they could not continue to support him, how many more chances does he need? Yes, the charges were dropped, but he has still decided that he did not want to be tested? What does that tell you? He had repeatedly brought the game into disrepute and in doing so, put WC in an untenable situation.

He is the state he is because he alone made the choices, not West Coast and when he does actually take ownership, he might just get over his addiction and his immaturity in facing up to it.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him play again, but to say WC are responsible? What were Collingwood responsible for Didak being stupid and accepting a ride with a known bikie gang member and murderer? Get real please!

 

[joshprice69]

That is a ludicrous assertion. West Coast have more than supported Ben, but they could not continue to support him, how many more chances does he need? Yes, the charges were dropped, but he has still decided that he did not want to be tested? What does that tell you? He had repeatedly brought the game into disrepute and in doing so, put WC in an untenable situation.

He is the state he is because he alone made the choices, not West Coast and when he does actually take ownership, he might just get over his addiction and his immaturity in facing up to it.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him play again, but to say WC are responsible? What were Collingwood responsible for Didak being stupid and accepting a ride with a known bikie gang member and murderer? Get real please!

didak is totally different to cousins, he had 2 much 2 drink and ended up in the wrong place while collingwood still supported him through this unlike west coast he just delisted cousins over a charge that ended up being droped

 

[celtic_pride]

Was it? Normally all player contracts are done with the AFL. So, unless the Eagles had a seperate player contract with Ben, then it was a contract with the AFL.

What makes you say that? They can say he has already damaged the brand and will likely continue to do so, thus they do not want to register him. Why do they have to, all contracts happen through the AFL, the AFL like any organisation, has the right to hire the employees of its choice.

I don't think that without a crimianl charge and/or conviction, Cousins from a legal and moral stand point of view, they can't stop him playing AFL.

Seriously, forget all the media gossip and hysteria, I fail to see what Ben Cousins has done that prevents him from nominating for the draft and playing again next season.

Bringing the game into disrepute ? What a bloody joke that is, he was busted for having an anti-depressant in tablet form on him, without a prescription (obviously he doesn't carry it round with him) he has been hardly done by, and deserves a second chance.

He had an 'substance' abuse problem, as his father admitted, but we don't know what the 'substance is' at this stage, adn I think there is a lot of petty and vindictive people out there who want to nail Cousins to a crucifix.

The biggest and most unfortuante victim in all of this is himself, not the AFL, nor the Eagles or anyone else, and he should be shown some compassion and forgiveness, I am sure the tragic death of Chris Mainwaring hit him hard.

 

[SS_Fury]

That is a ludicrous assertion. West Coast have more than supported Ben, but they could not continue to support him, how many more chances does he need? Yes, the charges were dropped, but he has still decided that he did not want to be tested? What does that tell you? He had repeatedly brought the game into disrepute and in doing so, put WC in an untenable situation.

He is the state he is because he alone made the choices, not West Coast and when he does actually take ownership, he might just get over his addiction and his immaturity in facing up to it.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him play again, but to say WC are responsible? What were Collingwood responsible for Didak being stupid and accepting a ride with a known bikie gang member and murderer? Get real please!

alas some common sense

 

[tandino]

PEOPLE - he will not be in the national DRAFT, Ben if he does try and play this year will only be avaiable for PSD! get thatinto your HEADS!

arrgghhhhh - know your drafts before posting for gods sake

David Rodan Board

 

[MarkT]

PEOPLE - he will not be in the national DRAFT, Ben if he does try and play this year will only be avaiable for PSD! get thatinto your HEADS!

arrgghhhhh - know your drafts before posting for gods sake

Why? He has been delisted so he can nominate for either draft can't he?

 

[MarkT]

didak is totally different to cousins, he had 2 much 2 drink and ended up in the wrong place while collingwood still supported him through this unlike west coast he just delisted cousins over a charge that ended up being droped

A charge ended up being dropped. Another has not been dropped. WCE know what he was up to and acted as they had to.

 

[SYDpower]

didak is totally different to cousins, he had 2 much 2 drink and ended up in the wrong place while collingwood still supported him through this unlike west coast he just delisted cousins over a charge that ended up being droped

Yes, but Ben has had a few run-ins; 1) his avoidance of the booze bus and subsequent arrest, 2) his arrest again in melbourne for excess partying 3) his known associations & reluctance to give up his association with Kizon an underworld figure and others I cannot even remember. All of these were his own choice and decisions, not WC, that is my point!

Didak was supported, but Collingwood made it clear - any more infringements and he will be in a serious lot of trouble.

Whether it is alcohol or drug problems each individual makes their own decision. No one can put the alcohol or drug in your hands. The only mistake WC made was to initially try and "support" him without making the problem public and where did that get them? They could not keep trying to "support" him and keep him on their playing list.

Stop trying to blame WC for this. People make successes or failures of their lives when they take ownership & responsibility for their own decisions.

 

[likka]

Why? He has been delisted so he can nominate for either draft can't he?

AFL is able to block players with health concerns or of undesirable character though. Ben fits both these criteria.

 

[The Donners]

That is a ludicrous assertion. West Coast have more than supported Ben, but they could not continue to support him, how many more chances does he need? Yes, the charges were dropped, but he has still decided that he did not want to be tested? What does that tell you? He had repeatedly brought the game into disrepute and in doing so, put WC in an untenable situation.

He is the state he is because he alone made the choices, not West Coast and when he does actually take ownership, he might just get over his addiction and his immaturity in facing up to it.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him play again, but to say WC are responsible? What were Collingwood responsible for Didak being stupid and accepting a ride with a known bikie gang member and murderer? Get real please!

I agree with you... sick of everyone blaming everyone except Cousins! The guy is 29 FFS!!!

 

[richardnose]

NO criminal or ASDA drug charges = AFL can't deregister him..

BTW that last contact that was torn up was a contract binding him to the West Coast eagles FC, not the AFL in general specifically.

Legally the AFL cannot stop him from nominating for the draft.
I also blame teh bloody WA Police and Media for what's happened and he has my total support and blessings to return and succeed at AFL level.

but he was charged, with refusing a blood test.

if the afl decides that on top all the other business (running away from cops, ignoring police warnings not to associate with crims.) that they want to de-register him. then what ?

I guess ben would have to decide whether to sue the afl. this would be a civil suit that he would need to take on personally and bear all the legal costs himself with no club standing behind him. he'd want to be sure that he'd win.

 

[MarkT]

AFL is able to block players with health concerns or of undesirable character though. Ben fits both these criteria.

AFL can try anything they like but they have to act within the law. If Cousins challenges they will have trouble making a case IMO. I doubt they want to go to court anyway. A lot will depend on Cousin’s determination to play and I suspect that will depend on whether a club or clubs tell him they select him.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Nah, Richmond are too gutless to pick up such a controversial player IMO!

Idiot.
Who did we pick up last year?

Whats his name? He had some off field problems as well, thats right Graham Polak, and we copped a pasting for it, that sounds pretty gutless

 

[Bloods Rule!]

AFL can try anything they like but they have to act within the law. If Cousins challenges they will have trouble making a case IMO. I doubt they want to go to court anyway. A lot will depend on Cousin’s determination to play and I suspect that will depend on whether a club or clubs tell him they select him.

A bit naive? He is no longer an AFL player. If the AFL decide he should be an AFL player again and register him, it'll cop a huge amount of flack. If they don't, the worst they have to worry about is that he'll seek damages or ask to be registered, claiming that it's a restraint of trade. You may even find that his rights have been dramatically reduced by Work Choices.

 

[Powerstufff]

No-one will pick Cousins up this year and as such his registration as an AFL player will lapse. So the AFL doesn't have to make any decision, therefore it is hard to see where it would face legal action.
If Cousins build a path back to next year's draft via the WAFL or wherever I'd be very surprised. Must simply be bravado on his part.

 

[BIGBEZ]

Idiot.
Who did we pick up last year?

Whats his name? He had some off field problems as well, thats right Graham Polak, and we copped a pasting for it, that sounds pretty gutless

I heard he was in talks with Richmond, before this latest incident, I posted it on BF, but cant find the thread!

 

[greennick]

I don't think that without a crimianl charge and/or conviction, Cousins from a legal and moral stand point of view, they can't stop him playing AFL.

Yes they can. There is a lot more to this that you don't know. There is a reason he refused the drug test and it is not because he was scared of the cops.

Seriously, forget all the media gossip and hysteria, I fail to see what Ben Cousins has done that prevents him from nominating for the draft and playing again next season.

He fell off the wagon despite a contract with the AFL saying he can not. He associated with undesirables despite a contract with the AFL saying he can not. There is more, but isn't that enough?

Bringing the game into disrepute ? What a bloody joke that is, he was busted for having an anti-depressant in tablet form on him, without a prescription (obviously he doesn't carry it round with him) he has been hardly done by, and deserves a second chance.

That is what he was BUSTED for, but more is known to those in the know, which I will not get into here because this is no place for it.

He had an 'substance' abuse problem, as his father admitted, but we don't know what the 'substance is' at this stage, adn I think there is a lot of petty and vindictive people out there who want to nail Cousins to a crucifix.

I can tell you what SUBSTANCES they were, but this is not for a public forum.

The biggest and most unfortuante victim in all of this is himself, not the AFL, nor the Eagles or anyone else, and he should be shown some compassion and forgiveness, I am sure the tragic death of Chris Mainwaring hit him hard.

He has made himself the victim and his AFL career is more than likely over because of it. Maybe he will come back, but I would say it would not be for at least a year.


Listen, don't get me wrong, I love Ben and have been a massive defender of his. I don't care if a player likes to get on the gear, however there is a line (figuratively speaking). Ben crossed this a long time ago and now needs some serious help. He can not play in the AFL in the current drugs environment and in his current state as I would say he will get back on it again. Although, maybe he will be able to keep it more secret in Melbourne. Before anyone talks about access in Melbourne, he has plenty of friends over there who like to party, so the same pressures will be there.

 

[greennick]

I heard he was in talks with Richmond, before this latest incident, I posted it on BF, but cant find the thread!

I thought it was St Kilda who he was in talks with, at least that is the only one that has been reported.

 

[greennick]

A bit naive? He is no longer an AFL player. If the AFL decide he should be an AFL player again and register him, it'll cop a huge amount of flack. If they don't, the worst they have to worry about is that he'll seek damages or ask to be registered, claiming that it's a restraint of trade. You may even find that his rights have been dramatically reduced by Work Choices.

Rights will not change under Work Choices as all AFL players are under common law contracts, not EBA's.

 

[BIGBEZ]

I thought it was St Kilda who he was in talks with, at least that is the only one that has been reported.

Defanatley Richmond, I cant answer about St kilda, but this was before this latest trouble!
I know, I know, everyone knows someone who knows someone who heard something,etc, but I dont make up crap!