Mystery surrounds Cousins book (WA today)

[one-eyed]

Mystery surrounds Cousins book
TIM CLARKE
March 16, 2010 - 11:06AM

Mystery surrounds what would be one of the most eagerly, and perhaps fearfully-awaited books to hit Perth in years – the authorised biography of Ben Cousins.

Strong rumours suggest the book - which is sure to have football identities on both sides of the country extremely worried - is complete and awaiting publication.

When contacted by WAtoday.com.au, reputed author Peter Wilmoth refused to confirm it even existed, let alone what details it might contain.

Cousins is currently being dogged by severe abdominal pains, which has sent him to hospital twice for a barrage of tests and threaten his place in the Richmond team for round one.

But the likely revelations about former teammates at the Eagles, friends now at different clubs – most notably Michael Gardiner – and other prominent personalities around Perth are likely to cause discomfort in a lot more stomachs.

Cousins' descent into drug addiction has been one of the most well-documented downfalls in the history of Australian sport, but has included precious little on the record from the Brownlow medallist and his family.

Ben's father Bryan is believed to have been one of the main sources for the book – and is likely to have plenty to tell judging by a comment in an interview with ABC's Russell Woolf in 2008.

"There were probably a few things he did that no-one knew about, and they make up for the ones that were inaccurately reported," Mr Cousins said.

The Brownlow medallist is about to start with a second year at his adopted home of Richmond, and is also continuing to work on the video documentary of his rehabilitation.

The film, being made in conjunction with video producer Paul Butler, is understood to include contributions from Chris Judd, Kevin Sheedy, Gerard Healy, Mick Malthouse, Dean Cox and David Wirrpanda, among others.

But its subject matter is likely to mean it will not be aired until Cousins' football career is finished.

"Obviously while Ben's playing there's going to be certain restrictions on what can and can't go to air," Cousins' former manager Ricky Nixon told SEN radio last year.

"He can't do anything that’s going to bring the game into disrepute, so certain footage that may or may not be appropriate is where the judgement will have to be.

"It's pretty damning.

"There's no point putting something to air only (for Cousins) to be deregistered for life two minutes after it goes to air."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mystery-surrounds-cousins-book-20100315-q9k1.html

[one-eyed]

Explosive Tell-all memoir puts Ben Cousins in battle

  * Jon Ralph, Mark Robinson
  * Herald Sun
  * March 17, 2010

RICHMOND'S Ben Cousins is locked in battle with his publisher and author over an explosive tell-all memoir charting his extensive drug use and gangland connections.

The confessed drug addict was set to rock the football world with details about the behaviour that saw him sacked by West Coast and banned by the AFL.

It is believed the book is 75 per cent completed but is in limbo with its author Peter Wilmoth no longer associated with it.

Cousins has accepted an advance believed to be at least $200,000 but is unhappy with the current product.

Publisher Pan MacMillan wants to release the book this year, but Cousins is unwilling and Richmond nervous about its fallout.

The champion has admitted his drug use but has never revealed details of a long addiction, or his links to crime figures including John Kizon.

Cousins was released from hospital after continuing stomach cramps, with the club rubbishing claims in The Age he had an alcohol problem that led to the complaint.

Discussions over the book, among other things, led to a rift between Cousins and his manager Ricky Nixon, with the 31-year-old now managing his own affairs.

Nixon did not want to comment.

Richmond said it was comfortable with the progress of the book, but would speak to Cousins and Pan MacMillan about its contents.

Richmond football manager Craig Cameron said he believed the book would be published after the season.

"At this stage we are comfortable with where it sits but we need to talk with the publishers and find out what their plans are," he said.

Cousins signed a one-year deal with Richmond but Cameron indicated the club would prefer the book not be released while he was still at Punt Rd.

Wilmoth would not comment, but it is believed he uncovered explosive stories about Cousins' past.

One of his sources is said to be Cousins' father Bryan, who has conceded in the past Cousins has plenty of revelations yet to be uncovered.

"There were probably a few things that he did that no one knew about, and they make up for the ones that were inaccurately reported," he said when the club drafted Cousins.

Richmond has seen extracts of Cousins' book and says it is happy with its progress.

A Pan MacMillan spokesman said the book was due out late this year, with sources saying the publisher has every intention of publishing the book.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/explosive-tell-all-memoir-puts-ben-cousins-in-battle/story-e6frf7jo-1225841583498

[Mr Magic]

Interesting that the author has walked. 
Having not seen it I am loathe to judge but we know much already of Cuz's past exploits.

I can see why some would be interested but I'm personally against profiteering from self inflicted controversies.
Seems poor to me and sends the wrong message.
I won't be buying it.