Richard Hinds implies some Swans players are using illegal substances

[cruiser]

Richard Hinds really is an arse. In the linked article about Cousins return to football he states

there will be a measure of hypocrisy in the boos he receives elsewhere from the fans of clubs - the Swans included - who have players in their ranks who should be the last to hurl stones in the moral glass house.

I think that this is a very serious allegation to be making and by using the plural, he is suggesting more than one of Sydney's players might be using illegal drugs. If he has evidence, he should spit it out. If he doesnt, he should shut the ***k up. If I were the club, I'd be making an official complaint about this.

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/cousins-should-savour-his-moment/2007/07/18/1184559870144.html

[giant]

I think it's more a case of a poorly crafted sentence. The plural (I guess) refers to all clubs, and the accusation I assume refers to general misdemeanours not just drug-related ones.

But otherwise I agree that the general tenor suggests serious and unspecified allegations.

[ScottH]

Maybe he's been speaking to Dale Lewis.

[floppinab]

I think it's more a case of a poorly crafted sentence. The plural (I guess) refers to all clubs, and the accusation I assume refers to general misdemeanours not just drug-related ones.

But otherwise I agree that the general tenor suggests serious and unspecified allegations.

Agreed, I guess with Cousins at the top of the misdemeanour tree we automatically relate that to drug taking but the tone of the article is definately associated with general naughty boyisness and with the end of sentence stated as "the moral glasshouse" he is reasonably clearly referring to crimes against morality there, not necessarily drug taking.

[AnnieH]

i think he made a lot of sense ... like a lot of us who like to take the moral high ground, he's not too happy about the return of cousins, or the way in which the budgie criminals handled the whole situation.

The compulsion of club, team, players and even fans to win games helped create an environment in which an apparently full-blown drug addiction could develop and worsen without intervention while the wins piled up.

The compulsion of club, team, player and even fans to win games of football will create an environment in which the same disgraced player returns several months later as the Prodigal Son.

While hamstring soreness prevented Cousins from making his comeback against Port Adelaide at Football Park last week, it seems no coincidence the Eagles have chosen Subiaco Oval for Cousins' controversial return where he is guaranteed the acclaim of 45,000 supporters.

[TheHood]

I seem to remember a certain Sydney CEO popping his cloggs in a seedy William Street hotel room.

And yes, Dale Lewis may have been telling some truths amongst his exaggerations. We're not squeaky clean and it's not just drugs either, it can be abuse, assult or other.

I do think Hindsy had another agenda and that was to remind the footy world that adoration should not be construde as just forgiveness and the nuffys in the Eagles cheer squad will be just plain ignorant.

There is a line of disapproval re the Cousins return running through the Eagles inner-sanctum and I personally think it's contributing to their bad form on the field.

Universally outside Perth, it seems like madness that Cousin's return isn't via East Freo. There seems to be some accidental theatre to the whole mess, some sort of false motivation for the rest of the club.

Like Patrick Smith before the first bounce of the 2007 season, as a lover of footy,I hope Sydney punishes West Coast. More importantly, as a Sydney fan, I hope we publically pants (Kennelly style) them by 50+.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Yeah - name them - I wanna know which players are up for a smoke

[reigning premier]

Yeah - name them - I wanna know which players are up for a smoke

Me too... I could do with a new dealer... Mine's a right rip off merchant....

[Xie Shan]

Universally outside Perth, it seems like madness that Cousin's return isn't via East Freo. There seems to be some accidental theatre to the whole mess, some sort of false motivation for the rest of the club.

Yep, I was surprised at this too, just adds to sense of theatre around the whole saga. It may backfire on them- it takes time to get used to the physical contact, etc of playing a match after missing several months. Surely he cannot be match-fit.

[canetoad]

Yeah - name them - I wanna know which players are up for a smoke

maybe he's not referring to the type of pills Benny has been allegedly using. By the way has anyone been watching the Tour De France. Some of those guys can go all day......

[TheHood]

Some of those guys can go all day......

Are you talking about Tour De France or Belle De Jour?

[Robbo]

Who?

[i'm-uninformed2]

maybe he's not referring to the type of pills Benny has been allegedly using. By the way has anyone been watching the Tour De France. Some of those guys can go all day......

Do you think it would be appropriate for Worsfold's final instructions to Benny before the game to be: "Mate, welcome back, just go and get the pill."

[originalswan]

Do you think it would be appropriate for Worsfold's final instructions to Benny before the game to be: "Mate, welcome back, just go and get the pill."

That'd be a given

[swantastic]

That'd be a given

Then a swallow.