Why not Cousins?

[stellation]

I also noticed that the "smirk" from the past was not there. I thought he handled the questions well, pity about his manager.

I thought that the most telling moment was when asked about being a role model, as nico has already mentioned. His honesty in saying that he resented being held up as a role model when he was younger was something that I think a lot of young footballers probably struggle with, but none admit.

On the question on being a role model I do think it's important to note that I'm pretty sure that he limited himself to at best become a role model for people who have gone through a hard period of time.

[goswannie14]

So if he has been an addict for 5 years and has never been caught, then as Connolly has steadfastly said he is a cheat or has been able to knowingly cheat the system.

No, he was a drug addict.

IIRC Justin Charles was lambasted as a cheat and disqualified for 2 years. He did test positive. Yet Cousins admits he took drugs and clearly dodged the system with amazing footwork, and he is welcomed back to the fold after incredible publicity of his antics and his apparent ambivilence to the issues; with open arms by most journos and the vocal supporters to a person who are ringing talkback radio.

Justin Charles was suspended for 17 weeks.

[givekidsakick]

Malevolent Annieh

I'm kinda hoping he does get injured ... but at training today!!

What a nasty piece of work you are AnnieH. To wish injury on anyone is malevolent. Wait maybe it isn't - watch out for that bus on Driver Avenue on ya way to work.

We have drug problems in all sports because there is so much pressure put on young and upcoming sports stars that they just need to do or take more to stand up to your and your likes expectations. God forbid if they ever get caught because they will be persecuted.

So what skeletons are in your cupboard, what makes you so pure?

I have hope for you!

Cheers and Merry Xmas

[Nico]

I thought that the most telling moment was when asked about being a role model, as nico has already mentioned. His honesty in saying that he resented being held up as a role model when he was younger was something that I think a lot of young footballers probably struggle with, but none admit.

On the question on being a role model I do think it's important to note that I'm pretty sure that he limited himself to at best become a role model for people who have gone through a hard period of time.

So lets say he has only a mediocre return or fails. Will he then be cast as a role model for those people or as a failed role model. My point is; in using this term in this instance is fraught with danger and nebulous at best.

Right now there might be some poor soul out there who is inspired because he has been drafted but how quickly will that inspiration evapourate if Cousins pulls the hammie off the bone tomorrow. He has to be successful and stay in the limelight, then go on with it in a community sense for the role model tag to stick and be relevant.

[stellation]

So lets say he has only a mediocre return or fails. Will he then be cast as a role model for those people or as a failed role model. My point is; in using this term in this instance is fraught with danger and nebulous at best.

I don't think he even said he would be a role model for them, it was just that he limited himself to at best being that.

In all honesty I'm not too sure what my opinion of him potentially being a role model in any capacity is.

[Darren Thomson]

IF you're predisposed towards schizophrenia.

There are an awful lot of people who are predisposed to mental illness and don't know it. It only takes one of the billions of synapses in the brain to misfire and you're off with the fairies. See it every day and I could argue it all day and all night, but it would be pointless because those who like their drugs will take them regardless of the risk because "that will never happen to me" famous last words at 17 (mine), which took 21 years to correct.

[Nico]

What a nasty piece of work you are AnnieH. To wish injury on anyone is malevolent. Wait maybe it isn't - watch out for that bus on Driver Avenue on ya way to work.

We have drug problems in all sports because there is so much pressure put on young and upcoming sports stars that they just need to do or take more to stand up to your and your likes expectations. God forbid if they ever get caught because they will be persecuted.

So what skeletons are in your cupboard, what makes you so pure?

I have hope for you!

Cheers and Merry Xmas

Not so sure the pressure bit has got a lot to do with it. Maybe the letting the hair down syndrome has a bit to do with and the perception of a good time. It is too wide spread in society to say pressure is the trigger to using. Maybe a few it is but not the majority.

I think Thommos point of "it won't happen to me attitude" is closer to the mark.

My daughter is an Occupational Therapist working with recovering mentally ill people in a critical care unit with a group of 15 and her husband manages one of these units. They tell horror stories of how drugs have destroyed lives and that there is a very direct correalation between drug use and Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Depression and so it goes on. These people have to be retaught the basic life skills, such as getting out of bed in the morning. 9 out of 10 people they deal with are like that because of drugs and they are the ones they can help.

Many times it can be as simple as "having a try" and next minute they are on the other side for life. I can't help wondering about how many of these AFL and NRL who all of a sudden have depression, have jumped the fence so to speak, because of "giving it a go".

A good example is, and I can't recall his name, but he was full back for Hawthorn who went to North. He was a more than capable full back who went to custard overnight, why?

[ShockOfHair]

He's done the crime, done the time. I'm pleased to see Cousins given another chance. It's up to him to justify the Tigers' faith in him.

[connolly]

There are an awful lot of people who are predisposed to mental illness and don't know it. It only takes one of the billions of synapses in the brain to misfire and you're off with the fairies. See it every day and I could argue it all day and all night, but it would be pointless because those who like their drugs will take them regardless of the risk because "that will never happen to me" famous last words at 17 (mine), which took 21 years to correct.

For a football code this is not primarily a medical problem. Its an issue of performance enhancing drugs. And for anyone who reckons that amphetimines aren't performance enhancing they sure give a real kick a long to the nags that some of us put our hard earned on. Amphetimines are rife in the racing industry and they sure work.

[AnnieH]

What a nasty piece of work you are AnnieH. To wish injury on anyone is malevolent. Wait maybe it isn't - watch out for that bus on Driver Avenue on ya way to work.

We have drug problems in all sports because there is so much pressure put on young and upcoming sports stars that they just need to do or take more to stand up to your and your likes expectations. God forbid if they ever get caught because they will be persecuted.

So what skeletons are in your cupboard, what makes you so pure?

I have hope for you!

Cheers and Merry Xmas

No, not nasty. Cynical maybe, but definately not nasty.

In my opinion, which i think i'm entitled to, i don't believe he should be playing at all. He never tested positive, but ADMITTED to taking drugs - he should be banned for life. He cheated the system and was "rewarded" by being allowed to play again. He should watch out that Mrs Karma doesn't come looking for him.

Imagine admitting to YOUR boss that you take drugs - I wonder how long you'd last.

Why one rule for that little turd, and one rule for the rest of society?

There is no such thing as a "reformed" or "recovering" anything.

Are you a "recovering" or "reformed" alcoholic - or are you just one drink away from being an alcoholic? Discuss.

As for my pureness ... it's legendary. Just ask around.

[givekidsakick]

Quitters....

Rehab is for quitters.....you sound like one of those who had a toke and didn't inhale...how pure.

[connolly]

No, not nasty. Cynical maybe, but definately not nasty.

In my opinion, which i think i'm entitled to, i don't believe he should be playing at all. He never tested positive, but ADMITTED to taking drugs - he should be banned for life. He cheated the system and was "rewarded" by being allowed to play again. He should watch out that Mrs Karma doesn't come looking for him.

Imagine admitting to YOUR boss that you take drugs - I wonder how long you'd last.

Why one rule for that little turd, and one rule for the rest of society?

There is no such thing as a "reformed" or "recovering" anything.

Are you a "recovering" or "reformed" alcoholic - or are you just one drink away from being an alcoholic? Discuss.

Apparently he is a recovering cheat.

[AnnieH]

Rehab is for quitters.....you sound like one of those who had a toke and didn't inhale...how pure.

... yep, just like that.
You got it in one.

[lachlanc]

Anyone who has taken the same sort of drugs that Cousins has taken knows that they are certainly not performance enhancing. Let's get real here people. Those of you who claim that it was performance enhancing don't know what you are talking about, really. Its a miracle he made it onto the field.

That stuff about it making him a better player and leading to our (heartbreaking) 06 defeat by one point is just rubbish. It comes from people who are totally ignorant of how those sort of drugs change you. We should have been encouraging him to take even more drugs as his performance would have been even worse. Imagine that!

OK, so we made the call not to pick him up. That's fine, and Roos etc obviously had their reasons. I have had some experience with drug addicts and from closely watching his press conference today the guy is not yet out of the woods. The way he talks, holds his mouth, moves around - i can see he's still a junkie. I can see the daily struggle he's going through.

But there are a few points here. 1) he was never charged by the WA cops over the incident which was the straw which broke the camels back at West Coast 2) if he wasn't playing football the first thing he'd probably do is go out score and lapse back into the darkness 3) he was an arrogant little @@@@@ but he never killed or beat up anyone, the only damage he ever did was to himself.

Personally, I think people should get off the guy's back. I hope he plays well for Richmond and I congratulate them for taking him. its a brave move and it could be a win/win: they might make the finals and it could save Cousins' life, almost literally.

Nixon is not one of my favourite people but he's right: why do we idolise Keith Richards for being a junkie and any number of actors etc but get all moralistic over our sportsmen. We can all fall, and many of us do. Sport has a drug testing code, let that it be the be all and end all, not this endless moralising over Ben Cousins. After all, he can't possibly be the only AFL player who takes drugs? Anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot - these are 20something guys with money and time on their hands. What are some of them going to do, or want to do?

Those of us who wish Cousins ill are dwelling too much on the dark side of human nature. Don't get me wrong. I hated him when he was an Eagle. I cried when we lost in 06. A lot has happened since then, and I've moved on. I think we all should too. His story can be a good one not just for him or the code, but for everyone. I never thought I'd say this but good luck Cousins and Richmond in 09, just hope you don't finish ahead of us!

[hammo]

Why one rule for that little turd, and one rule for the rest of society?

What a load of rubbish. Society is generally quite tolerent and willing to give people a second chance. It seems the football industry is the only one where you don't deserve a second chance.

Well done Richmond for being brave enough to do just that. I hope Cuz pays them back in spades.