BEN COUSINS [merged]

[Chuck17]

This is odd what did he think was going to happen, surely they were always going to be all over him like a rash

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/11/19/Ben_Cousins_could_abandon_comeback
Ben Cousins may abandon a planned comeback to AFL football because the drug-testing regime announced on Tuesday by the AFL is too tough, his manager says.

Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon is expected to tell the AFL Players' Association the rules make it almost impossible for the former West Coast captain to resume his career, the Herald Sun newspaper reports.


And this is interesting

Sources close to the 2005 Brownlow Medallist are said to be furious Cousins has been singled out by the league after confessing to a drug problem when six players remain on the field with two strikes against their name under the AFL's drug-testing program.


I mean sure the requirements are tough and he probably has a valid point with the other six, but are those six splashed all over the news and tabloids.  The guy is a walking headline and there is not much he can do about that.  Not that I am a big fan of the AFL admin but they were always going to play tough with him.

[bushranger]

He knew what he was getting himself in for so I see no point in now saying that it might all be too hard.
Why go through this whole thing then turn around and say this.
It looks like he hasn't cleaned up his act just as yet.
And why bring in others. Worry about yourself first then have a go at others.
If he won't comply to the rules which he would have know from the start then he has no place in footy.
He only has himself to blame but as always it is never their own fault.
And if he pulls out I would say he is still high on them what ever it is he had taken. 

[Chuck17]

Here's the story on his first hair test (well supposed to be first hair test)

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24674664-5016360,00.html
THE AFL Commission gave Ben Cousins the green light to play again even though he was unable to provide a hair sample for a drug test.

It is understood the test could not be conducted because Cousins recently opted for a shaved haircut. The rest of his body had been waxed to a length shorter than the 3cm required for hair testing to be considered accurate.

[bushranger]

He knew what he was in for before this all got going. So if he's doing his best to not be checked then isn't this almost a case of guilty.
As he knows it would be cheating the system. So I would make him do a check every day of the week and this might put him off from any comeback.
He knows what he's doing so this to me is a vote that he is hidding the truth.

[mightytiges]

The wiki page (not always 100% accurate) says even hair follicles may be used if the hair is shaved.

Some people attempt to circumvent this through shaving their heads. This does not usually work. In the absence of the required amount of hair on the scalp, body hair can be used as an acceptable substitute in the order of face, chest, arm pit, and on some occasions the police use leg hair that has a shorter slower growth rate. If all hair is shaven, the follicles of the hair may be used in place of the hair. Hair follicle testing is normally not part of an employer-based drug testing program using hair.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_test

[bushranger]

Well lets hope the buggers doing the testing are as smart as that.
But I would think that Cousins would know about that side of it too.
And wound have made sure he didn't have a hair on him.
But I did learn something today so thank you for that.
I will use this to make it look like I know what I'm talking about.

[Chuck17]

I will use this to make it look like I know what I'm talking about.

LOL, that is my method of operation as well

[Chuck17]

He is now going to be a good little (hairless) boy and conform to the AFL's wishes

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/11/20/Cousins_accepts_AFL_olive_branch
Ben Cousins is set to return to AFL football next year, despite saying the drug-testing conditions attached to his comeback are harsh.

The recovering drug addict said on Wednesday he was looking forward to being drafted and playing football again after the AFL agreed this week to re-register him as a player.

[Moi]

That's a cliffhanger of a poll.  Come on people, keep on voting:

Question: Would you pick up Cousins in the PSD? Yep definitely  22 (41.5%)
Only if no one else was available  4 (7.5%)
No way  22 (41.5%)
Undecided  5 (9.4%)
 
Total Voters: 50
 

[Chuck17]

That's a cliffhanger of a poll.  Come on people, keep on voting:

Question: Would you pick up Cousins in the PSD? Yep definitely  22 (41.5%)
Only if no one else was available  4 (7.5%)
No way  22 (41.5%)
Undecided  5 (9.4%)
 
Total Voters: 50

I was thinking the same thing MOI looking at it this morning.

I think it is time for some of the undecided to grip the bull by the horns and decide.

[bushranger]

Can't remember what I put but I'm sure it wasn't undecided.
If I took the pole again I would have voted no way would I pick him.
He is trouble and thinks he's bigger than the game.
He knew what he was going to be under. So he has to stop whinging about it.
Ben Cousins equals a cheat always will be, I will not talk about this low life anymore.
He just ain't worth the time.
We should be posting about people that want to be footy stars, and not those that like to see the stars cause of the stuff they are on.

[Chuck17]

I will not talk about this low life anymore.
He just ain't worth the time.

It has been a good vent though Bushranger, there is no ambiguity about where you stand on the topic 

[cub]

As with bushie, canno remember what I orig voted but  now would be No Way.
We are developing a midfield that will be the equal of any for the next decade, Cuz would be taking someone's spot and stunting their growth.

Besides the obvious risk factor, Melb along with Syd are the Kings of sleeze and all the temptations will be at every corner - PASS 'not that we are on the radar anywayz'

[mightytiges]

I voted NO at that time. People also forget Cuz is probably one more hammy twang away from being finished on top of all the drug talk after being out of the game for 18 months.

[one-eyed]

Pete Larkins talks in the Age about drug cheats beating the tests using freely available masking products.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/drug-cheats-can-beat-the-tests-doctor/2008/11/20/1226770643904.html