Cousins Likely To Get Green Light

The Age

Tuesday November 18, 2008

Caroline Wilson

THE AFL's near-certain decision today to ratify the comeback of self-confessed drug addict Ben Cousins could be thwarted in the coming days by the two AFL clubs which remain in the running to take him.

Although neither St Kilda nor the Brisbane Lions have ruled themselves out of drafting the 30-year-old, both clubs remain nervous about the hype and potential distractions surrounding recruiting the controversial Brownlow medallist and the damage Cousins' documentary could cause to the game.

As the footballer waited nervously at his Perth home today for the AFL's verdict, a production team was scheduled to film Cousins' reaction as the latest chapter in the fascinating but often devastating story the documentary team hopes to put to air in February.

The Cousins documentary was canvassed by the AFL Commission yesterday as new medical evidence was put forward by the AFL executive ahead of today's decision regarding the potential lifting of his deregistration.

Cousins' management group Flying Start would almost certainly issue legal proceedings on his behalf against the AFL should it vote to extend his suspension now that he has passed all the medical requirements put forward by the league.

But it is believed the Lions also harbour misgivings about the documentary and whether or not its in-depth look at the former West Coast captain's fall from grace could prove off-putting to the club's sponsors or whether its "warts and all" nature could be seen to be bringing the game into disrepute.

The StKilda board will meet next week to decide whether Cousins - if the AFL lifts his suspension as expected - will be drafted by the club which remains the frontrunner to recruit the former West Coast captain. One senior Saint yesterday expressed some concern at the massive attention placed upon Cousins over the past week and the fact that his arrival at the club could prove a major distraction.

Only St Kilda and the Lions openly remain in the running to take him.

StKilda captain Nick Riewoldt said yesterday that Cousins' physical and emotional recovery was the biggest concern but added that uncertainty remained over whether the 30-year-old could reach his former playing level.

"Obviously he's been a great player in the past, and whether he can get back to those heights again is a big question," Riewoldt said.

"But until the AFL make their ruling tomorrow it's really pie in the sky."

Collingwood, which was an early contender to take the player, changed its mind at board level after consultations as high as chief police commissioner Christine Nixon, and North Melbourne ruled out taking Cousins again this week despite some interest from coach Dean Laidley.

North Melbourne recently negotiated a new deal with major sponsor Mazda and the motor company is understood to have included a new clause, along with several potential AFL club sponsors elsewhere, involving alcohol and drug abuse and the potential to end a financial partnership should a player seriously transgress.

AFL commissioners yesterday discussed Cousins on day one of their two-day meeting, which included a fact-finding tour of western Sydney and a meeting with Blacktown councillors.

The AFL board members were given updated medical and psychological information on Cousins and briefly discussed the potential for the documentary to disprove evidence put forward by the player over recent months.

The nine-member commission did not reach a decision on Cousins yesterday, nor did they ratify the GC 17 group's bid for the 17th AFL licence, although sensitive new information on both issues was put forward.

It is understood that more information relating to Cousins' last consultation was not to be made available to the AFL Commission until it met again today.

The irony of Cousins' documentary, into which the player initially invested $100,000 and has engaged upon as a legitimate part of his rehabilitation, is that it could prove a stumbling block to his comeback.

The sale of the film, which includes extensive interviews with Cousins, his family, his former teammates including Chris Judd and the family of deceased film star Heath Ledger, is being negotiated by Cousins' father Bryan and his manager Ricky Nixon.

The AFL's free-to-air broadcasters Channels Seven and Ten stressed yesterday that they had not yet been offered the documentary, while St Kilda and the Lions said they would want broader details of the product before making a final decision on Cousins.

AFL Players Association chief executive Brendon Gale said he did not anticipate any extra restrictions placed upon Cousins by the AFL and that the association would challenge any such move.

Cousins, however, will almost certainly be the subject of target-testing for illicit drugs.

"We support Ben's right to be able to renominate for the draft and restart his playing career," said Gale yesterday.

"We certainly hope he will be able to get drafted and we are keen to ensure that he is treated indiscriminately by the AFL system."

© 2008 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home