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NormEagles To Cash In On Cousin’s Woes
April 12th 2007 14:02
Just when you thought the Cousin’s saga over in the west could not get any worse, the bombshell was hit today that the West Coast Eagles have applied for a salary cap relief from the AFL to the size of $60,000 to pay for Cousin’s drug treatment in America.
The money, which is expected to cover the rehabilitation treatment, airfares and various expenses that Cousin’s will come upon during his stay in America.
The AFL, which received the bid for relief from West Coast a number of days ago, has not automatically agreed for the relief under the Total Player Payments, which details that relief is given to any club that has to be up to $100,000 to any player for unforeseen medical expenses. Rather the AFL have referred the matter to the AFL Commission Board who will rule that the treatment that Cousin’s is currently undergoing should be agreed as being under the payment plan.
Whilst it is thought that the Commission will agree to the salary cap relief, there has already been backlash from experts, clubs and supporters alike as they have expressed their disbelief in the relief.
Personally, I am in utter shock that such a consideration for the salary cap relief has even been considered. The Total Player Payment was organised by the league and clubs alike as a way to ensure that any player that has had a serious injury that may force him out of the game for long periods of time, or even permanently, would not have to worry about treatment and rehabilitation.
But the Cousin’s saga is a completely different story. He is currently getting treatment for a substance abuse which is both a illness caught outside the realm of football, and also illegal. Whilst there is not doubt that he must get the treatment he needs, and that the clubs must support him, I find it absolutely stunning that West Coast have the courage to ask the league for a handout in helping a player overcome a drug addiction.
The AFL have already been struck hard by the Cousin’s saga. Their drug policy has been dealt a hard blow, and whilst it is impressive that they have announced today that they will be organising more tests both on and after matches, they are still behind in the eight ball in allowing one of the best players of the competition becoming addicted to illicit drugs.
And whilst they still have a decision to make on this deal, it seems that the Commission will allow this relief through. The AFL have once again become toothless in fighting the rampant drug problem that has swept through the league. If they were in their right mind, they would ensure that the club does give the help that Cousin needs, but they would get relief from allowing the problem to get so out of hand.
And what does this mean for future cases? Does this mean that if the AFL allow this relief, that any player that does get caught cheating with illicit drugs will be able to have his treatment payed out from the league? The treatment plan was originally set up to help players in need who have undergone a serious injury during the game, now it has the danger of becoming a get out of jail free card for any drug cheat in the competition.
Until next time, sports minds.
The money, which is expected to cover the rehabilitation treatment, airfares and various expenses that Cousin’s will come upon during his stay in America.
The AFL, which received the bid for relief from West Coast a number of days ago, has not automatically agreed for the relief under the Total Player Payments, which details that relief is given to any club that has to be up to $100,000 to any player for unforeseen medical expenses. Rather the AFL have referred the matter to the AFL Commission Board who will rule that the treatment that Cousin’s is currently undergoing should be agreed as being under the payment plan.
Whilst it is thought that the Commission will agree to the salary cap relief, there has already been backlash from experts, clubs and supporters alike as they have expressed their disbelief in the relief.
Personally, I am in utter shock that such a consideration for the salary cap relief has even been considered. The Total Player Payment was organised by the league and clubs alike as a way to ensure that any player that has had a serious injury that may force him out of the game for long periods of time, or even permanently, would not have to worry about treatment and rehabilitation.
But the Cousin’s saga is a completely different story. He is currently getting treatment for a substance abuse which is both a illness caught outside the realm of football, and also illegal. Whilst there is not doubt that he must get the treatment he needs, and that the clubs must support him, I find it absolutely stunning that West Coast have the courage to ask the league for a handout in helping a player overcome a drug addiction.
The AFL have already been struck hard by the Cousin’s saga. Their drug policy has been dealt a hard blow, and whilst it is impressive that they have announced today that they will be organising more tests both on and after matches, they are still behind in the eight ball in allowing one of the best players of the competition becoming addicted to illicit drugs.
And whilst they still have a decision to make on this deal, it seems that the Commission will allow this relief through. The AFL have once again become toothless in fighting the rampant drug problem that has swept through the league. If they were in their right mind, they would ensure that the club does give the help that Cousin needs, but they would get relief from allowing the problem to get so out of hand.
And what does this mean for future cases? Does this mean that if the AFL allow this relief, that any player that does get caught cheating with illicit drugs will be able to have his treatment payed out from the league? The treatment plan was originally set up to help players in need who have undergone a serious injury during the game, now it has the danger of becoming a get out of jail free card for any drug cheat in the competition.
Until next time, sports minds.
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