BEN COUSINS [merged]

[one-eyed]

Eagles keep Cousins on list
Digby Beacham and Craig O'Donoghue, Perth | October 31, 2007

DISGRACED star Ben Cousins will be retained on West Coast's list to ensure the club does not break the salary cap if forced to compensate the 2005 Brownlow medallist for sacking him.

All clubs must complete the first of three list lodgements by today.

It is believed the AFL advised the Eagles not to delist Cousins yet, even though they axed him a fortnight ago after his arrest for alleged drugs possession and failing to comply with a police-ordered drug assessment.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/eagles-keep-cousins-on-list/2007/10/31/1193618899081.html

[mightytiges]

Even as an ex-Eagle player it's probably not the time to admit some things 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=126509677

Have You Ever:
Been Drunk: a fair few times..
Been Stoned/High: yeah
Eaten Sushi: i am hurting it right now!

[one-eyed]

Just saw this on the Eagles forum. They've lost all their past top ten picks and F/S selections in the space of twelve months (Banfield [1], Gardiner [1], McDougall [5], Judd [3], Sampi [6], Morton [f/s], Cousins[f/s]).

[Hellenic Tiger]

Its looking more and more likely Guy Richards may be playing footy as a Tiger next year now that the AFL will allow the Eagles to retain Cousins on their list.

[mightytiges]

Its looking more and more likely Guy Richards may be playing footy as a Tiger next year now that the AFL will allow the Eagles to retain Cousins on their list.

There's still two more list lodgement dates (Nov 16 and 30) before we know properly who is available. Imagine if the Eagles had to pay another club to take Cousins off their TPP.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Its looking more and more likely Guy Richards may be playing footy as a Tiger next year now that the AFL will allow the Eagles to retain Cousins on their list.

There's still two more list lodgement dates (Nov 16 and 30) before we know properly who is available. Imagine if the Eagles had to pay another club to take Cousins off their TPP.

The way the off season has gone so far MT anything is possible.

[one-eyed]

AFL set to block Cousins' early return
Caroline Wilson | November 1, 2007

BEN Cousins now looks certain to spend 2008 outside the AFL system with the league determined the player will be punished for bringing the game into disrepute.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed last night a decision on Cousins' future would be made before the next commission meeting, scheduled for November 19 and 20, and would be announced within days.

The Eagles yesterday followed AFL advice and retained Cousins on their playing list to avoid salary cap problems if he won a compensation challenge, but made it clear he would be removed from the playing squad on November 30. The league had told West Coast that if it delisted its former captain before the November 24 national draft and he won a court claim, the money would be included in West Coast's 2007 salary cap.

Link.

AFLPA backs Cousins to play
01 November 2007   Herald Sun
Mark Robinson

BEN Cousins has found a strong ally in his fight to play again, with the AFL Players' Association yesterday declaring it would support his return to the game.

Destined to put itself on a collision course with the AFL, the AFLPA's stance comes as the embattled Brownlow medallist undergoes a second round of drug rehabilitation in California.

AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale did not rule out the AFLPA supporting Cousins if he took legal action against the AFL.

Gale was adamant Cousins should not be "restrained" from playing again.

Link.

Cousins digs into axing legality
Elizabeth Gosch | November 01, 2007

FALLEN star Ben Cousins is still exploring the possibility of legal action against West Coast as the club picks its way through the aftermath of his sacking.

Cousins' lawyer Shane Brennan said yesterday he had advised his client to investigate his legal options following his arrest on October 16 and subsequent termination of his contract by the Eagles one day later, a day before his court appearance.

"My client continues to explore the legal avenues open to him," Brennan said. Cousins, who was reported to earn $800,000 a year on a contract due to expire in 2009, could sue the Eagles for the balance of his contract as well as compensation for "loss of opportunity".

Link.

[one-eyed]

The way the off season has gone so far MT anything is possible.

Such as Cousins going AWOL from rehab in LA and nobody knowing where he is.

Cousins goes missing on streets of LA
Robert Lusetich and Greg Denham | November 01, 2007

COUNSELLORS at an exclusive drug treatment facility in Malibu are scouring Los Angeles in search of Ben Cousins. Sources close to the Summit Centre in Malibu told The Australian yesterday the 29-year-old failed to check in, as scheduled, on Monday.

They say they are worried for his safety. "No one has any idea where he is," said a person with knowledge of the situation. "He's got everyone freaking out because LA's not a good place to be out doing what he may be doing. I just hope nothing bad happens to him."

The fallen West Coast Eagle, who is battling addiction to cocaine as well as methamphetamines - one of the toughest drugs to kick, according to experts - arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday morning and was picked up at the airport by two mystery blonde women in a Mercedes-Benz sports car.

Friends Cousins made from his last stay at the $3300-a-day Summit Centre who are recovering drug addicts have left messages on his phone offering to pick him up and pleading for him to check in to the facility. But they say he has not been answering his phone or returning their calls.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22682797-5012432,00.html

[richmondrules]

  I've said it before, Cousins has far bigger problems than football. Keep him away from my football team.

[julzqld]

Here, here.

[one-eyed]

Well Cousins' dad says Ben isn't missing and he's spoken to him within the last 12 hours but everyone else has got their knickers in a knot as they don't know where Cousins is.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22684876-29277,00.html

[rogerd3]

i think its time the media left the poor bloke alone, let him get on with his recovery or what have you.

i think most are over reading about it, the only people that know what is factually going would be his parents and himself as it should be.

[one-eyed]

Cousins not down and out in LA, says father
Nicolas Perpitch, Peter Mitchell and Liza Kappelle | November 2, 2007

As the rumour mill went into overdrive, Channel Nine was breathlessly reporting speculation that Cousins, 29, had met up with actress Cameron Diaz at a gym  .

The media frenzy prompted Mr Cousins to speak out in Perth, accusing reporters of potentially hampering his son's drug rehabilitation treatment.

"The facts are these: Ben is not missing and has not been missing at any time whilst in the US. I spoke to him myself late last night. I have always known exactly where he is. He is currently receiving treatment in Los Angeles at an appropriate facility and he will be attending the Summit Medical Centre in the next few days.

"I would like to add that I have learned that rehabilitation is a complex and arduous process that requires continual review and is best dealt with in private.

"The ill-informed comments and the harassment by the media and others will not assist his rehabilitation."

Yesterday, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said reports that Cousins might soon return to football were "fanciful". However, AFL Players Association head Brendon Gale said Cousins should be given yet another chance.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cousins-not-down-and-out-father/2007/11/01/1193619059498.html

[julzqld]

Can't understand why Cousins had to go to the US for rehab anyway.  Doesn't seem to do Britney, Lindsay and co any good.  Aren't Aussie facilities good enough for Cousins?  Or is it just an easy way to go missing?  He could have got anonymity in somewhere like .... Tasmania!

[Moi]

Former West Coast Eagles captain Ben Cousins has been told to appear before the AFL Commission to determine whether he has breached some of the league's rules and regulations.

The hearing is scheduled for Monday November 19 at AFL House in Melbourne.

Cousins has the right to appear in person, but can give evidence via video link, or someone can appear on his behalf.

Cousins is currently in Los Angeles due to begin a second round of drug rehabilitation.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says Cousins's father Bryan has been informed of the league's decision.

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/02/2080649.htm?section=justin