Cuz on The Couch tonight

[Mr Magic]

I do hope he continues on next year if he can, I still believe he would be good as a midfield coach helping out the youngsters. Benny Gail didn't seem too concerned about his doco and I don't think the players are too concerned either. I think they would love him to stay and mentor them for a while longer.

We'll see how it unfolds I guess. The Cuz tale has a ways to run yet.

[WA Tiger]

I do hope he continues on next year if he can, I still believe he would be good as a midfield coach helping out the youngsters. Benny Gail didn't seem too concerned about his doco and I don't think the players are too concerned either. I think they would love him to stay and mentor them for a while longer.

Time will tell I guess. The Cuz tale has a ways to run yet.

Agree, don't think the tale will ever end actually, no matter what he chooses to do..

[Infamy]

Ben Cousins - On The Couch Part 1/3
Ben Cousins - On The Couch Part 2/3
Ben Cousins - On The Couch Part 3/3

[one-eyed]

Cousins keen to play on next year
SAM LIENERT
May 11, 2010 - 10:34PM
 

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins says he still loves playing football and hopes he can find the form required to warrant playing on for another AFL season.

The 31-year-old former West Coast skipper's start to his second season with the Tigers has been interrupted by illness, injury and a club-imposed suspension.

But the recovering drug addict denied rumours that his off-field behaviour had slipped over the summer or that his attitude towards the game had wavered and he was contemplating retirement.

Advertisement: Story continues below"I have had an interrupted start to the season," Cousins told Fox Sports on Tuesday night.

"(But) I think this time last year most people would have said I had no chance of getting an extension on my contract.

"I went on and got some continuity in my training and playing and I thought I played some reasonable footy.

"I'm of the opinion that barring any bad luck I'll be able to play footy of the calibre I did last year, if not better, which I'm hoping will warrant a lengthy discussion about whether it's worth going on next year."

Cousins said while it might appear from outside he was not enjoying playing for the struggling Tigers, that was not the case.

"Wins have been hard to come by, but I've got a real enjoyment out of seeing the development and helping fast-track the development of some of the younger players," he said.

He said the realisation that the end of his career was approaching had only enhanced his appreciation of the game.

The 2005 Brownlow Medallist and 2006 West Coast premiership player said he felt "forever indebted" to the Tigers for giving him a second chance in the AFL after being banned for the 2008 season for bringing the game into disrepute.

He said he hoped to remain with the club beyond his playing days and felt he already had a de facto coaching role given the youth of the squad.

"I've really enjoyed settling in at Richmond, it's been a tough go on-field, but I'd like to in a playing capacity see them get out of that tough period for as long as I can," he said.

"Then if it was possible I'd like to stay around the club and help them out."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/cousins-keen-to-play-on-next-year-20100511-uv42.html

[one-eyed]

No drug taint on flag: Cousins
JESSE HOGAN
May 12, 2010
 
BEN Cousins says his spiral into drug addiction while at West Coast should not taint the accolades he and his teammates received during his 12-year career at the Eagles.

The injured Richmond veteran also insisted he was making ''real progress'' in his bid to tame that addiction and desperately wanted to extend his flagging AFL career beyond this season.

In a candid interview with Fox Sports' On The Couch last night, the usually media-shy 31-year-old denied he had lied to the Eagles hierarchy about his drug use but conceded he regretted his acrimonious departure from the club in 2007, a year after he had played in its premiership side.

''I'm sure the footy club would have known when you [in the media] would have known. They wouldn't have had their head in the sand,'' Cousins said.

''I certainly spent the vast majority of my career trying to hide the fact that I was reliant on recreational drugs - no question - but that didn't diminish the application I had to my footy, the want for the footy club to do well.

''I can say categorically that the use of recreational drugs did not help me play AFL football in any way. If anything it made it a hell of a lot harder.''

While rumours persist that drug use was rife among that Eagles team, Cousins was insistent that he was speaking for himself and not any other players. He also denied illicit - or recreational, as he described it - drug use was a problem among AFL footballers.

''I don't think they're nearly the same problem as they are in society. I don't think it's a true reflection of what's happening in a normal 18-30 age bracket in society. But it is a concern for the community and the problem with it - it's one of the biggest social problems we have yet we probably know the least about it … and treat it with very little compassion.''

Cousins' stints in hospital on the eve of the season prompted reports he was struggling with his addiction, but he insisted he had not relapsed during pre-season or subsequently. ''I don't … dignify every single rumour. The problem with my situation is that if you throw anything negative my way, it seems to stick.''

He said he was still being drug-tested three times a week, and the rigorous testing had helped his recovery.

''That's been a good safety net for [me], but it's just held me in good stead for life after footy. Not everybody in my situation gets the luxury of having that … for me it's been a good thing, especially early on.''

Cousins also disputed the theory that being delisted by Richmond could harm his attempts at recovery and drive him back to drug use.

''It's easy to forget that the environment of the AFL … some of that has been counter-productive to my recovery. I'm under constant scrutiny from the media [and] at the mercy of a lot of rumours and innuendo, and I cop that, I've had to.

''I've had the opportunity to get my life back on track. I am well into my second year away from that poo-storm. I've stayed clean a lot longer than a long weekend.''

Cousins said he was ''forever indebted'' to Richmond for drafting him and expressed confidence his form in the rest of the season would warrant a contract extension into next year.

While largely positive throughout the interview, Cousins believed the media had treated him too harshly.

''What I would have liked to have seen is … the sports journalists do a little bit more research on the actual condition of addiction before they made personal attacks on me … [in] the football analogy, I think they've gone the man a little bit rather than the ball.

''There's a huge opportunity to use my story as a positive one, to give other people with my condition a bit of hope, because it's an area which lacks real leadership and role models for other people that are struggling with the same condition.''

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/no-drug-taint-on-flag-cousins-20100511-uv6z.html

[one-eyed]

Ben Cousins say he felt the AFL 'were out to get me' during year off
Bruce Matthews
Herald Sun
May 11, 2010 10:51PM

REFORMED Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins "felt that the AFL was out to get me'' with the constant drug testing during 2008 when he was forced to sit out the AFL season.

While Cousins was evasive over the real reason he shaved his head, he said he lacked faith in those who were going to sit in judgment on his possible return to the game.

"That was probably one of the most trying, if not the most trying, six weeks of my 12 months off,'' Cousins told Fox Sports' On The Couch.

"I had at the time, rightly or wrongly, very little faith in the people that were going to make a decision on my future.

"Obviously, there were some concerns and I felt that the AFL was out to get me, that was just how I felt at the time.

"I'm able to now sit back and look back and probably see a lot easier where people like the AFL, football clubs were coming from when they didn't necessarily think it was a fait accompli of me coming back to the game.

"It's easy to forget the environment of the AFL industry, some of that has been counter-productive to my recovery. I'm under constant scrutiny and I cop that.

"I've had the opportunity to get my life back on track and people have got to remember too that I'm well into my second year away from that s--- storm.

"I've stayed clean a lot longer than a long weekend.''

Cousins, who wants to play on with Richmond beyond this season, said he accepted the drug-testing three times a week "so that puts a line through three-quarters of the rumours''.

He denied having an alcohol problem.

"I've never been spoken to by the footy club about an alcohol issue,'' he said.

And he refuted any suggestions West Coast's 2006 premiership win was tainted by rumours he and others used drugs that season.

"I totally disagree,'' he said.

"I can only speak for myself, but I can say categorically that the use of recreational drugs did not help to play AFL football in any way.

"If anything, it made it a hell of a lot harder.''

The 2005 Brownlow Medallist said while he understood the media focus, he wished more people had made an effort to research his addiction to better understand his plight.

"To use a football analogy, I think they've gone for the man a little bit rather than the ball,'' he said.

"There's a huge opportunity to use my story as a positive one, to give other people with my condition a bit of hope because it's an area that lacks real leadership and role models for other people that are struggling with the same condition.''

Cousins said he was "forever indebted'' to Richmond for giving him a second AFL chance and he would strive to earn an extension to his current one-year contract.

"Deep down, I want the opportunity to leave the game in a different way than the tailend of serving my 12 months suspension,'' he said.

"And I've worked pretty hard to get myself into a position that when I leave football, I'll be able to leave it with some dignity,'' he said.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ben-cousins-say-he-felt-the-afl-were-out-to-get-me-during-year-off/story-e6frf9io-1225865271188

[Smokey]

Thanks Daniel, any news on our kick ins? Jackstar was making alot of noise about it.

There was actualy.
They showed footage of probably 4 kick ins
BT and Gerard agreed that there was a serious issue there.
They also highlighted the basically "'non contests as they said "' in Ruck contests and showed 5 instances.
Didnt look great for Vickery

Read this response when you come back again Guest.   

They did not make any big deal of it or say it was anything other than what it was and what has been discussed openly in the media already - a problem area for our club to work on.  And as Pope said, they also mentioned our centre clearance work in the same 60 seconds of headline grabbing, earth shattering, it's all so clear to us now stuff, and said the same thing - that it's an area we need to work on.  Then having said that, they immediately acknowledged that despite our poor ruck work we actually did very well at the clearances and contested possessions and that when we got our ruck work right we would be very good in this area.  And as X said - despite the poor kickout strategy it still had a minimal impact on the scoreboard.  For someone who lays claim to have the club's heartbeat this was certainly one of your poorer efforts Guest.

And as an aside, I have to mention the performance of BT.  You all know my opinion of him as a commentator but last night he was far and away the most professional and insightful of the 3 interviewing Cousins, and was the only one prepared to ask more football-related questions that just trying to trip him up with all the drug-related ones.  I got more out of his questions than anything Sheahan or Healy threw up - they made themselves look silly with a number of unresearched and ignorant questions that Cousins handled very well and used to show them both up.  If only he could be that objective in his game commentary.

So now, a final word to Guest - a short while ago we debated the morals or otherwise of Caroline Wilson.  My opinion of her at the time (and still is), is that when it comes to reporting on the fortunes and happenings at our club she is a gutless sniper.  Well, I have to say, this is now the 4th (I think) occasion you have run away from the forum when no-one has agreed with your point of view - taken your bat and ball and run away.  Maybe Caroline has an apprentice??????

[TigerLand]

Spot on smoke

BT was absolute class. Gerard asked the hard questions that weren't to bad but Mike clearly wanted to get a reaction for a story out of Ben. I was really happy with BT. The question what does Ben Cousins want? And what still drives him are the questions we want to know the answers to. Not did you lie to West Coast about drugs?

It probably gave good balance it was pretty enjoyable interview to watch.

[FNM]

My biggest criticism of Ben when he was going through his drugs saga was that he left all the mess to be cleaned up by his family, his dad, and didn't come clean or take responsibility for his own actions then.

But how much has he grown since then
Fantastic to see 

[Smokey]

My biggest criticism of Ben when he was going through his drugs saga was that he left all the mess to be cleaned up by his family, his dad, and didn't come clean or take responsibility for his own actions then.

But how much has he grown since then
Fantastic to see 

They don't Froars, thats the trouble, life in general is viewed very differently through those eyes - drugs (of any sort) taken to the point of addiction are usually an escape from responsibility and reality so an acknowledgement of that failing at the time is most unlikely.  That's the unfortunate lot of the parents and friends that really care - they get to put up with all the crap, keep standing by them and picking up the pieces until (hopefully) maturity, common sense or whatever other positive influence kicks in and allows them to move forward.  It's a horrible existence for everyone involved - the addict and the support crew.

[one-eyed]

Gerard Healy stunned by Ben Cousins 'bunker mentality' and AFL distrust

    By John Clark
    foxsports.com.au
    May 12, 2010


AFL great Gerard Healy says explosive claims by Ben Cousins that the "AFL was out to get me" was the most fascinating revelation to come from the former West Coast bad boy's captivating interview.

Cousins opened up on Fox Sports' On The Couch on Tuesday night in what Healy, the show's host, said was "a very candid chat with Ben".

"It's the first time he has opened himself to true scrutiny," Healy said.

Recovering drug addict Cousins, now with Richmond, said trying to convince the league to allow him to return after a 12-month suspension in 2008 for bringing the game into disrepute took its toll.

When it was revealed he would be forced to undergo hair testing, Cousins shaved his head in what many viewed as the ex-Eagles skipper thumbing his nose at authority. He refuted that on Tuesday night.

"That was probably one of the most trying, if not the most trying, six weeks of my 12 months off,'' Cousins said.

"I had at the time, rightly or wrongly, very little faith in the people that were going to make a decision on my future.

    “"It was almost like a CIA plot to get him and I know that was a fairly strong feeling among him and his supporters at the time he was trying to get to Richmond. When it reaches that proportions you understand what type of bunker mentality was driving him at the time."” –Gerard Healy On Ben Cousins


"Obviously, there were some concerns and I felt that the AFL was out to get me, that was just how I felt at the time.

"I'm able to now sit back and look back and probably see a lot easier where people like the AFL, football clubs were coming from when they didn't necessarily think it was a fait accompli of me coming back to the game."

Healy and Brian Taylor, who joined On The Couch on Tuesday night, were both stunned by the claims from Cousins.

"The issue about his distrust about the AFL probably surprised me most," Healy told foxsports.com.au.

"I knew it was strong but I didn't know it was at a level that forced him to cut his hair off because he was so paranoid that he didn't trust the integrity of the testers or the AFL commission.

"(He thought) it was almost like a CIA plot to get him and I know that was a fairly strong feeling among him and his supporters at the time he was trying to get to Richmond.

"When it reaches that proportions you understand what type of bunker mentality was driving him at the time."

Taylor agreed, saying: "I had never heard that, that was the one thing that stood out for me.

"He really believed the AFL would set him up and end his career. That was astonishing."

On the playing front, Cousins is keen to go on beyond this season.

However, both Taylor and Healy feel 2010 will prove his last at the highest level.

"He is one of the modern day greats. He has played at a very high level for a very long time and he's played sensational footy," Healy said.

"He's a great player and a great player to watch.

"I suspect we are watching him in his final year but most people thought he was gone at this time last year.

"I know he is very keen to turn it around. He's got a job in front of him.

Taylor said life after footy was clearly a fear for Cousins.

"No doubt he has concerns about life without the safety nets, the structure and support of AFL life," Taylor said.

"He is very worried about what is going to happen when his career ends."

There was one regret from Healy the morning after: "I would have liked to ask him how he didn't test positive for all those years, what length he went to in a bid to avoid detection."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27113924-5018851,00.html?from=public_rss

[TigerLand]

I completly undertsand why he cut his hair.

The education of the tests wasn't very indepth. To me it was a point in time Ben went and said right I'm now 100% confident that I can't be found to have drugs in my system I can be confident to put my reputation and my rehab in the public eye and be scruitinised.

I'm sure thoughts were running through his head of "How long does this drug evidence stay in my system. Does it stay in the skin and can be tranformed to air that was grown 1 month, 2 months or 6 moths later?

For mine it was just a sign that he stripped the paint off and started fresh.

[Ox]

It's intelligent to fear the AFL were attempting to stuff him over when u consider the bodgy background of dimitrious' in laws and consequently,dimitriou.
He has paid media companies plenty to hide his dark family secret.....

[tiger till i die]

geezz show me the last time the media jumped on a on the coach interview with a footy player lol


i dont think ill see Benny On The Mike any time soon ... 

[one-eyed]

Cousins offers clubs, players, much more than midfield nous
SAMANTHA LANE
May 13, 2010
 
BEN Cousins was very nearly lost to football once. Now, the game that shunned him so severely would be mad not to enlist him into its ranks for good.

After Cousins' extended television interview on Tuesday, candid as it was compelling, any club that is not half-interested in signing the Brownlow medallist as a future employee is ignorant to the unique, powerful and utterly modern skills he has to offer.

Yes, Cousins is a recovering drug addict who refers to intoxication as ''his idea of a holiday''. And yes, the clear impression from his appearance on Fox Sports' On The Couch - arranged because the show is hosted by one of his confidantes, Gerard Healy - is that he continues to find living clean an on-going challenge.

But the overriding message from the riveting 30-minute interview was that Cousins has much more to offer football - indeed sport - beyond his playing contract with Richmond, where he could very well play his final game in August.

Without even seeming to try, Cousins showed what an incredible teacher he can be on matters far more important than the machinations of a midfield.

For all the seminars, slogans and educational units the AFL teaches and preaches, the game's bosses struggle when it comes to talking the same language as the average young Australian about illicit drugs.

In fact, when they open their mouths on the topic, they often alienate themselves.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, for instance, has repeatedly referred to drugs as the ''scourge of society''. He has said that he ''abhors'' them.

While that resonates with a generation that preferred alcohol to lubricate itself, or to escape, to the next generation - even those who have not so much as dabbled in drugs - it sounds unrealistic and out of touch.

Certainly the desperate, rambling heroin addict that gets on your morning tram presents a stark reminder of where abuse can lead.

Drugs clearly cause a magnitude of problems. But the fact is, many who indulge in drug-taking do so casually.

They are not addicts. And most would strongly object to the suggestion their behaviour is abhorrent, or that they represent the scourge of society.

Anyone who thinks footballers have not been there, and do not still choose to go there on occasion, is naive.

Cousins' extreme circumstances have meant he's not had the option to be so discreet. But out of his battle - the term he used on Tuesday was ''poo-storm'' - he has become something of an expert. Someone who is able to discuss these dark topics in a way that connects.

Cousins is 18 months into his return to football. He will be 32 next month. The way he spoke this week suggested he has learnt more in those years than some do in a life-time.

His statement that he felt ''forever indebted'' to Richmond for taking a chance on him could not have been more heart-felt.

There are sides in the competition that now wish they had been so brave. As one club CEO noted, Cousins could have helped St Kilda win last year's premiership.

But that's history. Cousins' best work to come now is off-field. It may yet be the most meaningful, fulfilling and powerful work he does. And while a lone club was brave enough to take the punt the last time Cousins was in the market for a job in football, logic says he should have a line of suitors the next time.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/cousins-offers-clubs-players-much-more-than-midfield-nous-20100512-uy1l.html