David EdwardsCousins’ Problem Outed
March 22nd 2007 13:31
In what will be the biggest story to come out of the AFL ever since the infamous Carey incident, Ben Cousins’ father, Bryan Cousins, announced on channel ten tonight that the reason behind his son’s suspensions and disappearance is due to a substance abuse problem.
The problem, which has been apparently known by the club for at least six months, lead to Cousin’s suspension from the club, which is now in damage control to ensure the entire AFL does not deem the Eagles have a drug problem.
Bryan Cousins held an interview on Channel Ten earlier tonight to show support for his son and plead to give Cousin (the younger) the space he needs until he can overcome his addiction. Bryan Cousins stated that “Ben’s problem relates to substance abuse, and he faces a great challenge… We are also aware that there is no simple answer to the problem, and, in the process of overcoming it, there are going to be obstacles and hurdles, some of which may stumble at.”
Whilst Cousins’ problem will now become the major focus of the West Coast Eagles this season, they are still hoping that Ben will be able to come back to the squad sooner rather than later. Coach John Worsfold has claimed that Cousins might be back within the month, whilst chief executive Trevor Nesbitt believes that it might take longer to overcome his addiction, but might be wearing the blue and gold before the season is over.
It seems that this is rather a dark day for the West Coast Eagles, as they announced earlier this week that illicit drug use is alive in the club, and with reports of player fighting over the issue, it can be said that there are signs that the club is self-destructing.
However, West Coast believe they can overcome this problem, and focusing right now on eliminating that drug problem, and above all trying to give Cousins the support he needs to fight his abuse problem.
The announcement, which came on the same day as the AFL 2007 season launch where they announced a new next generation policy where they would fund 1.4 billion dollars into the game to ensure that AFL is still strong for future generations, has brought much focus on the infamous AFL’s ‘three strikes’ drug ruling.
With AFL’s in-house drug ruling, a player can be caught positive three times before he is outed and forced to face the tribunal, was an issue last season when their was arguments over how the ruling did not give support in players curbing their problem. Now that Cousins’ has been outed as having a substance abuse problem, there will be a lot of focus on West Coast, the AFL, and Cousins when he returns if he has a positive test.
Cousins was tested on Monday by drug testers, yet coach Worsfold ensures that he believe the results will be negative.
Regardless of the various issues that will emerge in how the clubs and the AFL support players who might have a substance abuse problem before it becomes a major saga like Ben Cousins’, the main focus on many administrators and players of the AFL, not to mention supporters and fans of the game, is giving Cousins the support he needs to try and fight this addiction.
Coaches and players have thrown their support behind Ben such as Port Adelaide’s Warren Tredrea, West Coast’s captain Judd, and even rivals Fremantle’s coach Chris Connolly, who has claimed he hopes to see Cousins compete in another local derby against the Dockers.
Personally this will blow entirely out of proportion by the media and the AFL alike. When Ben Cousins returns to playing (which is almost a guarantee), a lot of focus will be on him if he is the same player, and if he will be able to show as much passion before this entire saga. We are all aware of how Wayne Carey was when he returned to the game two years later, a mere shell of his former greatness.
However with that said, Cousins has more talent and passion for the game than Carey ever did. And whilst I, and many supporters of the game alike, will hope that Cousins’ makes a nice recovery, I personally hope that Cousins is able to see the support that not only his club, but the entire Australian Football community has thrown behind him in beating this horrible problem.
Until next time, sports minds.
The problem, which has been apparently known by the club for at least six months, lead to Cousin’s suspension from the club, which is now in damage control to ensure the entire AFL does not deem the Eagles have a drug problem.
Bryan Cousins held an interview on Channel Ten earlier tonight to show support for his son and plead to give Cousin (the younger) the space he needs until he can overcome his addiction. Bryan Cousins stated that “Ben’s problem relates to substance abuse, and he faces a great challenge… We are also aware that there is no simple answer to the problem, and, in the process of overcoming it, there are going to be obstacles and hurdles, some of which may stumble at.”
Whilst Cousins’ problem will now become the major focus of the West Coast Eagles this season, they are still hoping that Ben will be able to come back to the squad sooner rather than later. Coach John Worsfold has claimed that Cousins might be back within the month, whilst chief executive Trevor Nesbitt believes that it might take longer to overcome his addiction, but might be wearing the blue and gold before the season is over.
It seems that this is rather a dark day for the West Coast Eagles, as they announced earlier this week that illicit drug use is alive in the club, and with reports of player fighting over the issue, it can be said that there are signs that the club is self-destructing.
However, West Coast believe they can overcome this problem, and focusing right now on eliminating that drug problem, and above all trying to give Cousins the support he needs to fight his abuse problem.
The announcement, which came on the same day as the AFL 2007 season launch where they announced a new next generation policy where they would fund 1.4 billion dollars into the game to ensure that AFL is still strong for future generations, has brought much focus on the infamous AFL’s ‘three strikes’ drug ruling.
With AFL’s in-house drug ruling, a player can be caught positive three times before he is outed and forced to face the tribunal, was an issue last season when their was arguments over how the ruling did not give support in players curbing their problem. Now that Cousins’ has been outed as having a substance abuse problem, there will be a lot of focus on West Coast, the AFL, and Cousins when he returns if he has a positive test.
Cousins was tested on Monday by drug testers, yet coach Worsfold ensures that he believe the results will be negative.
Regardless of the various issues that will emerge in how the clubs and the AFL support players who might have a substance abuse problem before it becomes a major saga like Ben Cousins’, the main focus on many administrators and players of the AFL, not to mention supporters and fans of the game, is giving Cousins the support he needs to try and fight this addiction.
Coaches and players have thrown their support behind Ben such as Port Adelaide’s Warren Tredrea, West Coast’s captain Judd, and even rivals Fremantle’s coach Chris Connolly, who has claimed he hopes to see Cousins compete in another local derby against the Dockers.
Personally this will blow entirely out of proportion by the media and the AFL alike. When Ben Cousins returns to playing (which is almost a guarantee), a lot of focus will be on him if he is the same player, and if he will be able to show as much passion before this entire saga. We are all aware of how Wayne Carey was when he returned to the game two years later, a mere shell of his former greatness.
However with that said, Cousins has more talent and passion for the game than Carey ever did. And whilst I, and many supporters of the game alike, will hope that Cousins’ makes a nice recovery, I personally hope that Cousins is able to see the support that not only his club, but the entire Australian Football community has thrown behind him in beating this horrible problem.
Until next time, sports minds.
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