Ben Cousins = Sacked / Cousins and Chick(s) arrested in Perth

[one-eyed]

The Age is saying Cousins could end up claiming wrongful dismissal if he wins the court case  ??? ...

Mr Brennan (Cousins' lawyer) predicted his client would win what will be one of the highest-profile cases in Perth's history.

Cousins is expected to argue that he was legally entitled to have the medication as part of his treatment for drug dependency.

"They stop him in his car and ask him for a prescription and he hasn't got it on him," Mr Brennan said.

"He wasn't wearing his Brownlow medal around his neck either but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. One can have that drug quite legally, it's just a question of whether it is prescribed."

Cousins' defence is likely to centre on whether Diazepam is a prohibited substance. Mr Brennan won a similar case for Perth socialite Rose Porteous last year. The second charge, refusing to submit to a police drug test, will also be challenged. The law is just weeks old and has never been tested in court.

If Cousins is found not guilty, The Age believes the way would be opened for a possible wrongful dismissal charge by the former Eagles champion against the club. Mr Brennan said yesterday that he had received no instructions about such a claim.

Cousins' lawyer says West Coast should have waited for the charges to be tested in court before sacking their star player.

"He is terminated by his club, ostracised by the AFL on a possession (charge) that is almost certainly misconceived, on a brand new charge under a brand new regulation that has never been tested. They have just shot him, the club and the AFL."

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/defiant-unrepentant-cousins-takes-up-fight/2007/10/18/1192300952925.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

[julzqld]

Cousins had that same stupid smirk on his face the whole time he was lead to and from court today.

Makes you want to slap him very hard across the face doesn't it?

[rogerd3]

In the Age tomorrow, an Ex-Eagles' player apparently says he warned West Coast 6 years ago about a drug problem at the club and was told to shup up as they swept it underneath the carpet. On SEN they said more of these kind of stories we come out now.

whilst living in perth i could tell some stories, oh the parties.

[tigersalive]

Apparently Cousins possession charges will be dropped however he's still got the refused drug test to deal with.

Source: 6PR

[DallasCrane]

LMAO

What's the drug?

It's a prescription drug ffs!
I have a poohload of unprescribed prescription drugs.
Big Deal.

Well done Ox, what is the big deal, the charges are going to be dropped.

To all those in the media, and on this forum, who have hung, drawn and quartered Ben Cousins (hello to Caro & Retygas), you should be ashamed of yourselves and take the main lesson from Media 101- things aren't always as they appear to be.

[the_boy_jake]

What chance the AFL re-registering him?

I'd snap him up in the PSD in a heartbeat.

Its not often a top line midfielder comes along. I'd rather have young footballers being influenced by a tough winner, drug problems and all, than some of the spineless characters who pass as leaders at our footy club.

I think it is largely underestimated how many footy players like a bit of chemical stimulation anyway.

[one-eyed]

Ben Cousins drug charged to be dropped says lawyer
Herald Sun
October 19, 2007 01:00pm

THE drug charge that saw Ben Cousins sacked from the West Coast Eagles will be dropped, his lawyer claims. The Eagles, however, are standing by their decision.

"I have just been informed by the organised crime squad that the charge of possession of the narcotic will be dropped on Monday morning at nine o'clock," Cousins' lawyer Shane Brennan told Southern Cross Broadcasting today.

Police are yet to confirm the claim, however.

"Their (police) problem stems from the fact that the alleged narcotic isn't a prohibited substance, as I understand it."

The 29-year-old midfielder was charged with possessing a prohibited drug after police pulled him over for driving erratically on Tuesday.

He was also charged with failing to comply with a requirement to undergo a driver assessment.

Despite the bombshell news, West Coast chairman-elect Mark Barnaba told ABC Radio dropping the charge against Cousins would not change the club's decision.

Cousins has never tested positive for illicit drugs.

But in March this year, he underwent several weeks of drug rehabilitation in the US, returning to Perth in April after agreeing to a zero tolerance clause to testing positive to banned substances.

He also agreed not to fall foul of the law.

The charges this week led to his sacking by the West Coast Eagles on Wednesday.

He appeared in the Perth Magistrate's Court yesterday where the matter was adjourned for three months so that he could return to rehabilitation in the US.

Today, Mr Brennan says Cousins was delighted to learn the charges would be dropped.

"He's as happy as Larry, so would you or I be," Mr Brennan told ABC Radio.

"In essence, the charge was completely misconceived from the start, as I indicated to the media yesterday," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

Mr Brennan said Cousins still planned to defend the failure to take the blood test charge.

The lawyer would not comment on how this may affect Cousins'

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22613344-661,00.html

[mightytiges]

Cousins is still a drug addict. He's not going to get better remaining in the spotlight playing football. Whatever happens he needs to get out of WA.

I think it is largely underestimated how many footy players like a bit of chemical stimulation anyway.

Didn't Dale Lewis claim the majority of AFL players were using illicit drugs and got outcasted for saying it?

[Moi]

To all those in the media, and on this forum, who have hung, drawn and quartered Ben Cousins (hello to Caro & Retygas), you should be ashamed of yourselves and take the main lesson from Media 101- things aren't always as they appear to be.

They're exactly as they seem - he is a stuffwit
The Eagles didn't get rid of him for nothing
Had he submitted to a drug test, he might have been able to prove the police and everyone wrong.
Didn't, did he?

[Tigermonk]

Cousins is still a drug addict. He's not going to get better remaining in the spotlight playing football. Whatever happens he needs to get out of WA.

I think it is largely underestimated how many footy players like a bit of chemical stimulation anyway.

Didn't Dale Lewis claim the majority of AFL players were using illicit drugs and got outcasted for saying it?

Yes MT Dale Lewis of the Swans did stand up & say drugs were everywhere in the AFL & got pushed aside
Well now the cops have dropped the charges the judge will give Cousins the benefit of doubt on the other charge & welcome Ben Cousins to Richmond  via PSD wishful thinking but it gives me a slight buzz

[one-eyed]

WA police said yesterday a quantity of drugs and drugs residue was found in Cousins' car when it was searched on Wednesday.

"The following drugs were seized from the vehicle: oxycontin, which is a prohibited drug, diazepam, Viagra . . . and a $20 note which preliminary indications and analysis show traces of MDMA, which is ecstasy and cocaine," WA assistant commissioner for special crimes Wayne Gregson said.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22616830%255E20322,00.html

[one-eyed]

Nixon thinks game can be part of Cousins' cure
Karen Lyon | October 21, 2007

THE manager of sacked West Coast star Ben Cousins believes the fallen Eagle should be offered the chance to return to football one day as a "carrot" in his recovery process.

"I think one thing in Ben's life that he does and does bloody well and probably better than most other people is play football," Ricky Nixon said yesterday.

"Maybe that has to be the carrot at the end of the day that we dangle in front but it can't be tomorrow that he starts playing again.

"I think we have to be careful how we go about it. There is some argument that he may have come back and played too early and it may be should have been left to next year. But the end of the day, the situation is what it is but I'd like to think the carrot could still be there."

Rest of article at:
http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/football-can-be-part-of-cousins-cure/2007/10/20/1192301103709.html

[one-eyed]

Cashed up Ben nabbed in 'trap'
Sunday Herald Sun | Peter Rolfe, Liam Houlihan and Nicole Cox | October 21, 2007 12:00am

ALMOST $3000 cash was discovered in Ben Cousins' car when it was intercepted by organised crime detectives.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands Cousins and former West Coast Eagle Daniel Chick were caught up in an expansive undercover sting when he was arrested on Tuesday.

It is believed to have included round-the-clock surveillance and mobile phone taps.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22620969-661,00.html

[julzqld]

Nixon thinks game can be part of Cousins' cure
Karen Lyon | October 21, 2007

THE manager of sacked West Coast star Ben Cousins believes the fallen Eagle should be offered the chance to return to football one day as a "carrot" in his recovery process.

"I think one thing in Ben's life that he does and does bloody well and probably better than most other people is play football," Ricky Nixon said yesterday.

"Maybe that has to be the carrot at the end of the day that we dangle in front but it can't be tomorrow that he starts playing again.

"I think we have to be careful how we go about it. There is some argument that he may have come back and played too early and it may be should have been left to next year. But the end of the day, the situation is what it is but I'd like to think the carrot could still be there."

Rest of article at:
http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/football-can-be-part-of-cousins-cure/2007/10/20/1192301103709.html

Why?  Didn't seem to stop him from getting into trouble in the past.

[one-eyed]

Perth court formally drops Cousins charges
abc.net.au

Police have formally dropped charges against former West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins of possessing the prohibited drug diazepam.

Last Tuesday, Cousins was arrested in Northbridge after police allegedly spotted him driving erratically.

He was charged the same day with possessing the drug and failing to undergo a driver assessment.

Today, police prosecutors applied to the court for the drug possession charge to be dropped.

Cousins was awarded $50 in court costs.

Thirty-three-year-old Nathan Greaves, who was in another car that was stopped at the same time as Cousins, also appeared in court on drug charges.

Greaves' bail was extended and he is due in court again on December 3.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/22/2066160.htm