Where's Andrew Demetriou?

[Running Dog]

Has anyone heard anything from El Supremo on the current drugs issue? I haven't heard anything yet- maybe others have.

From my perspective on the moral high ground which I have colonised and am now a permanent resident I think his absence from the debate (so far) speaks volumes about the current administration of the AFL. If he stays in France for the Rugby final while his own code is staring down the barrel he will have abandoned any integrity as CEO and may also be in breach of his common law and statutory directorial duties. Now is the time the AFL needs strong, meaningful leadership.

Andrew Demetriou- cometh the hour...

 

[CF]

Tough for Cousins to return: Demetriou

October 18, 2007 - 9:59AM

Ben Cousins will find it "extremely difficult" if he attempts to return to football at the top level, says AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

Speaking from Paris, Demetriou said disgraced 2005 Brownlow Medallist Cousins was no longer a registered AFL player after being sacked by his West Coast club on Wednesday night.

If he tried to return it would be a decision for the AFL Commission whether to accept his nomination for the draft.

"I think it is going to be very difficult for him, extremely difficult," Demetriou told ABC Radio.

"The West Coast Eagles have terminated his services.

"On the basis of being terminated, he is no longer a registered player in the AFL competition.

"If he sought to try and play football again, he would have to nominate for the draft, and that would be a decision for the AFL Commission as to whether we would accept his nomination or not."

Former Eagles captain Cousins was due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday to face a drug possession charge.

He was arrested in Perth's entertainment district of Northbridge on Tuesday, and charged with possessing an illegal drug and refusing to take a blood test.

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett on Wednesday night announced that Cousins' contract had been terminated and there was no chance he would play for the Eagles again.

Sports Minister George Brandis has used Cousins' downfall to repeat his call for the AFL to toughen its "three strikes" drug policy.

But Demetriou said that it would not have mattered what the AFL's drug policy was, as he considered Cousins had serious health issues.

"I don't think it is our policy that forced Ben Cousins into the situation where he has fallen through the cracks again," he said.

"He's obviously a man who's got a problem.

"He's a man who's got some health issues which he's had for a long time.

"He's endeavoured to be rehabilitated, and he's relapsed.

"I would say to you whether we had a one strike, two strike or three strike policy it's more than likely that the same thing would have occurred."

Demetriou said the AFL would look at their drugs code in December and would decide whether there was room for improvement.

"We've got policy that tries to educate people, and tries to rehabilitate them and deter them and change their behaviour from partaking in illicit drugs," Demetriou said.

"We've always said that we will do anything we can to improve our policy and we've made some changes along the way," he said.

http://news.realfooty.com.au/tough-for-cousins-to-return-demetriou/20072018-14zm.html

 

[hellaeon]

He was on fox sports news late last night via mobile phone.
He said any course of action will likely be decided at the next commisioner meeting, so seemed rightfully reluctant to eloborate on any 'delisting' issue.
He said that WCE had introduced a number of programs and worked closely with the AFL this year and seemed to be quite approving of WCE rather then any kind of hint he or the commisioners might be angry.
The commisioner meeting is I think halfway through november. I cant remember the interview very precisely sorry - I was in between yelling at the cricket and a few vodkas...

Edit: there ya go, see above

 

[mollyfud]

Is on holidays at the moment. Did an interview with Neil Mitchell this morning.
Molly

 

[Dean3]

Was on Jon Faine this morning too. If you want to hear from him, try reading a newspaper, turning on the TV or flick on the radio.

 

[CS_Player]

Demetriou in Paris.

Dalton Gooding in Italy?

Timing couldn't be worse if ever.

 

[CF]

Demetriou in Paris.

Dalton Gooding in Italy?

Timing couldn't be worse if ever.

get a grip, it is the off season and even Demetriou is allowed to have a holiday

 

[rogernumber10]

get a grip, it is the off season and even Demetriou is allowed to have a holiday

Not on holidays. World tv sport broadcasters conference in Monaco last three days, which Gill McLachalan as AFL tv man also at, followed by GAA meeting today over International Rules and then meetings with international offices of a couple of AFL sponsors. Back on weekend.

 

[thepower]

Demetriou in Paris.

Dalton Gooding in Italy?

Timing couldn't be worse if ever.

STAY THERE!!

 

[dan warna]

Andrew Demetriou at his official press conference while on holiday on the drugs problem in AFL

further the AFL have contracted a specialist in the field to investigate further drug allegations in the AFL.

who is reported as saying categorical NO DRUGS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY AN AFL PLAYER EVER.

 

[The Majestic]

If Cousins was to take a year off and get clean (this would mean an extended time in rehab not that 23 or so days he was in there..) and then agree to regular tests would they then posslbly allow a team to go after him?

In saying the above it would have to depend on whether a club would take a risk on him.

 

[worthogs]

If Cousins was to take a year off and get clean (this would mean an extended time in rehab not that 23 or so days he was in there..) and then agree to regular tests would they then posslbly allow a team to go after him?

In saying the above it would have to depend on whether a club would take a risk on him.

Fonzie basically said they (AFL) have to approve of his draft application, one which I would say wont happen.

Gone never to play again

Fonzie is out of the Country Big Deal. The AFL does ntop have to make a statement today The Eagles sacked him, what more do you want them to do. He will be back next week, The AFL will comment before the Draft is done, no need to do it before then.

 

[The Majestic]

Fonzie basically said they (AFL) have to approve of his draft application, one which I would say wont happen.

Gone never to play again

Fonzie is out of the Country Big Deal. The AFL does ntop have to make a statement today The Eagles sacked him, what more do you want them to do. He will be back next week, The AFL will comment before the Draft is done, no need to do it before then.

Yeah I know, I was just asking if he was to clean up and a club was to want to draft him at a later date (at the moment it would be a very high risk to do so and would probably be silly.( would they allow it. I assume though he is in fact done and no club will touch him even if they did allow him to play on.

It was more a hypothetical question then anything else.

 

[Squizz]

He'll need to fly over the Perth on his way back, to make sure Ben is tucked in at night. He made the trip last time, and Ben has shown how much esteem he holds all the people who have tried to help.

 

[likka]

Any decision on sanctions against WCE will be made by the AFL commission when they next meet... in December I think.

Why does Andy need to come back? WCE have sacked Cousins and he is about the leave the country for rehab.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Andrew Demetriou is overseas .... which is where Ben Cousins should have been. Whereas this issue is an important one. Demetriou is entitled to his holiday, and he'll deal with it when he returns. It's not important he deals with it today.

 

[Jimthegreat]

It's not necessarily my opinion but one thing I'm curious about......as he is fighting the charges, what if Cousins goes to court in January and is found not guilty on all counts?

Just a thought.

 

[strategy]

It would not be right for Cousins to be " selected " by another AFL club and be allowed to play for them after the Eagles sacked him .
If it was allowed to happen i would say it was a " conspiracy " to destroy the Eagles and for other clubs to prosper because of it .

 

[strategy]

It's not necessarily my opinion but one thing I'm curious about......as he is fighting the charges, what if Cousins goes to court in January and is found not guilty on all counts?

Just a thought.

Years ago Mathews was sacked by his club and later reinstated to play .
The same could happen to Ben .I am sure Ben needs a lot of help before that happened and the Eagles should be allowed to have first say on or if they want Cousins to play for them after he has been helped successfully, and that will take many many months ..If they dont ask him after he is passed fit to play THEN let other clubs ask him but not before .

 

[CS_Player]

get a grip, it is the off season and even Demetriou is allowed to have a holiday

What I meant was Cousins' timing couldn't have been worse if at all! And yes, it is the off season, so these blokes should have been able to enjoy their trip.

 

[strategy]

and the rest of the AFL commission etc .Pratts $$$$$ should not be allowed in to help Carlton and all players busted for illegal drugs should be stood down and named .