AFL pays $180k for Cousin's rehab

[BLT]

I heard on the radio this morning that the AFL and not the Weagles were picking up the tab for Cousins to go to rehab in the states at $3,000 a day for 60 days.

Is this right? If so, it's an outrage! that money should be going to Auskick kids or struggling clubs or even towards lowering ticket prices for the fans....

[liz]

I don't understand why Cousins wouldn't pay for it himself. Does the AFL intend to pay for counselling for every player who gets himself into trouble, be it gambling addictions, anger management issues etc?

[AnnieH]

they've set a precedent, haven't they!
his rehab should come out of his own back pocket.

[Damien]

Biggest joke ever if true.

I could understand, from a duty of care point of view, West Coast hiring a therapist in PERTH to help him, but anything else needed to come from Ben.

[swansrock4eva]

This has to be a wind up? Aside from the precedent set, what does that teach Ben about responsibility? As much as I'd like to see him get it together, imo he needs to be the one suffering the financial hardship for it (not that you'd expect it to cause ruin the way it might an ordinary Joe Blow), if for nothing more than to help make him realise the consequences of it all! And why isn't the club contributing something seeing as they were the ones who let it go on unchecked?

[Margie]

If that's true, it certainly does set a precedent. Did Angwin get the same treatment? What about Jon Hay?

[hammo]

This would be an absolute joke if true.

I have no problem if his employer - the club - pays, but to have the AFL involved is disgraceful. It's almost as if they have condoned his illicit behaviour.

[Sanecow]

I heard SEN reporting that the AFL have also paid for Hall's upcoming knee reconstruction!

[Zlatorog]

I think Cow might have a point here. Can we first confirm it's true?

[Lucky Knickers]

Majority of large professional employers provide counselling to staff. Don't see that the AFL is any different.
I don't have a problem with either the AFL, AFLPA or any club providing financial assistance to getting an employee right. Whether it's a knee reco or a lobotomy.
Who do you think does pay for all the surgeries? I'd speculate it's NOT the players funding the medicare gap.

[stellation]

It is not out of the ordinary for an employer to pay for rehab/counselling of one of their employees, in pro sports there may be a blurred line on this between whether the club or the league pays. I don't have an issue with the AFL paying for it at all.

[ScottH]

It is understood the AFL will, at least in part, pay the bill for his treatment program and travel to the US.

Source

[sWAns63]

All Afl brands WCE, Syd Swans etc. are controlled by the AFL if they the AFL are aware of the the drug culture in the WCE as they were, the AFL has to take reasonable steps to stop it.
I guess that what it comes down to is they didn't so the AFL is responsible...at least in part.
It stinks

[swantastic]

What a load of crap that the AFL is paying for it,i bet every ones boss wouldn't pay for treatment if an employee was on drugs.

[sWAns63]

I guess if there were a few people at your workplace as with WCE taking drugs and your employer knows about and you get hooked that employer has to be at least partly responsible for allowing it to continue