Ben Cousins - He's back (now at Richmond) [Merged Threads]

[GreekLunatic]

I think we didnt get him due to i think one of our sponsors kicked up a stink and said u get him we bail out. The reason for him being over 30 is a load of crap. So Eddie Mick and Co didnt wanna pick him up cause of dogdy hamstrings.

[Mr Smith Goes To C'Wood]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 32,00.html

30 year old with chronic hamstrings was always part of the equation. Don't know how much but it had to be there.

[Lone Ranger]

So we think his hammy wont stand up???? Is that the same as Steve Johnson's ankle wont stand up????

[jeff corfe]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24673239-661,00.html

Maybe this is the reason why Collingwood said NO to Cousins


BEN Cousins may walk away from football after the AFL yesterday placed tough drug-testing conditions on his comeback.

Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon will tell the AFL Players Association that it is almost impossible for the 30-year-old former champ to reignite his career under the rules announced yesterday.

Cousin will consider in the next few days if a return to football is worth it.
The Cousins camp is furious the self-confessed drug abuser has been singled out by the AFL for special treatment, when six players continue to play with two strikes for drug taking beside their name.

Nixon will meet the players association today to propose urgent changes to the conditions.

The association believes a dangerous precedent has been set by making one rule for Cousins and another for other players.

In giving Cousins' football return the green light, the AFL imposed:

URINE tests up to three times a week.

HAIR tests up to four times a year.

IMMEDIATE suspension if Cousins fails a drugs test, is not available or refuses a drugs test.

COUSINS must co-operate with the AFL medical officers and attend any drug rehabilitation program or medical expert nominated by them.

Conditions were also put on clubs interested in Cousins -- St Kilda and Brisbane -- concerning drug and alcohol management programs.

In detailing Cousins' comeback, the AFL revealed he did not have a hair test in the lead-up to yesterday's announcement.

The Herald Sun has learnt the AFL-appointed medical officer could not find hair long enough on Cousins needed for a satisfactory drugs test.




Joff says... Wow if ya reckon this bloke was sincere in his attempt to give up the drugs he'd take any drug test at any time. Im a little confused with his attitude. At the end of the day our club looks as though it made the right decision, It will be interesting reading what all my Nickster buddies say ?

[mandy]

six players continue to play with two strikes for drug taking beside their name.

Do you think it's reasonable that those 6 players aren't subjected to the same rules and conditions?

Afterall is said and done, Ben has never tested positive.

[Magpie_Dan]

Well Joff I must say for one its very good too have you back on the boards and I hope everything has gone well with all your treatment in getting better, I havent spoken too you in AGES mate!

Second of all, I cannot wait too see the outcome of the whole situation too be honest. I hear around that Cousins is still using and now I am pretty sure I saw him on the news at a quick glimpse with his hair shaved too a NUMBER 1, was I seeing things? It dosent look like I was because you are saying he dosent have a hair long enough to have testing with so is he trying too hide something in doing this? I would say so!

They could take a bit of hair from his pubic region unless he shaves down there too. Does anyone know if this would this produce the same evidence as a head hair?

Geez I would have loved him at the Pies and I really do hope too see him back out on the track tearing it up as he once did with the Eagles but at the moment, Ben's AFL future looks very bleak indeed!

[nulla]

Do you think it's reasonable that those 6 players aren't subjected to the same rules and conditions?

If those 6 players got caught under the general system then yes.

Ben was never tested for positive... as far as I know that is.

For Ben to be able to play football it was already well known that he was a drug addict.

If the AFL do not lay down certain restrictions to protect the club I would expect the club that offers to take Ben on to lay down certain restrictions.

If it had been Collingwood I would certainly want some assurance he is going to tow the line and be assured he was drug free.

Whats Ben got to hide?... should be the question

[Proud Pies]

The heading is misleading, but that's pretty much the heading of the websites....the herald sun on the front of their website has: 'Ben Cousins: I won't play", yet he hasn't even come out with any comment, even his manager hasn't spoken to him.

None of the testing that they have put in place for Cousins is a surprise, it's been discussed openly for quite some time that this would occur. Why now are they throwing up their hands?

Obviously the urine test does NOT prove anything. He's never tested positive from a urine test, but has been an addict for years.

I believe that they could take hair from any part of his body to test, including, legs, under arms, eyebrows and genital region.......so, unless he's waxed completely to be totally hairless, i think they would still be able to test.

[Dragme]

Ben presented for the testing cleanly waxed and shaven.

The AFL are considering testing his DNA to find out if he is Brazilian.

Anyone have an idea of how long it would take to grow 3cm of hair?

[John Wren]

it's getting just a bit tiring reading about what ricky nixon has to say about it all. and then to make a leap by saying cousins won't play is just absurd.

why does the testing regime make it 'impossible' for cousins to play? it'd only be impossible if illicit substances were still pumping through his veins. what other reasons are there?

another perspective is the afl have notionally done their 'good citizen' bit by welcoming him back but know that the regime put in place creates enough of an obstacle to prevent him from playing.

[Podpicken]

[quote="jmcp"]it's getting just a bit tiring reading about what ricky nixon has to say about it all. and then to make a leap by saying cousins won't play is just absurd.

why does the testing regime make it 'impossible' for cousins to play? it'd only be impossible if illicit substances were still pumping through his veins. what other reasons are there?[/quote]

exactly my thoughts. It stinks to high hell and the longer it's gone on, the more I think we've called it correctly

[John Wren]

^ something's not quite right if the club decided to pull out of the chase. you'd think we'd still be at the front of the queue if there wasn't something amiss.

[fan4collingwood]

Ben presented for the testing cleanly waxed and shaven.

The AFL are considering testing his DNA to find out if he is Brazilian.

Anyone have an idea of how long it would take to grow 3cm of hair?

Sounds like Benny is making a mockery of the AFL with his entire body being waxed/shaved.

[The Collingwood Turtle]

Joff says... Wow if ya reckon this bloke was sincere in his attempt to give up the drugs he'd take any drug test at any time. Im a little confused with his attitude. At the end of the day our club looks as though it made the right decision, It will be interesting reading what all my Nickster buddies say ?

Yeah but Joff, the very good mail I received yesterday was that we have folded on Cuz due to sponsor pressure.

Had nothing to do with age or injury.
Now if Pert/Eddie has overuled MM where does that leave MM in terms making football decisions.

I agree with you though it does appear a little suss that Cuz hasn't been able to produce a hair sample, but then again why didn't AFL conduct these tests during this year instead of leaving it until the preseason when many players shave their head.

Personally I don't give a hoot what players do off the field as long they don't kill, rape, assualt or thieve from other people. If Cuz or any other players takes non performancing drugs (albeit illicit drugs) let the police/courts deal with it not the AFL.

[daics cousin]

Well said Joff. I tend to agree with you now!
I was a very big Cousins supporter and desperately wanted him at the pies.
At his best there is no better midfielder.Cousins at his best is even more damaging than Judd.

However he is a self confessed drug addict,and possibly the collingwood hierachy saw the danger signs early.

I was with an ex champion AFL player the other day,whom i cannot name,and the Cousins story came up,he told me that he has heard rumours ,that Cousins is still using.

So now that the AFL have given their verdict,and have imposed stringant giudelines,i reckon Cousins will not play AFL at all ,it will be all to hard.
Even if the saints pick him up,it will be tough going for Ben.
Sad ,but good luck with your future,whatever you do Ben.