AFL to decide Ben Cousins' fate at today's commission meeting
Gerard Healy | December 15, 2008
IT'S D-Day for the AFL Commission on Ben Cousins. Either the commission opens the way for Cousins to become a Richmond footballer when it meets today, or it will have failed a test of courage.
The commission has left it up to the clubs whether to let Cousins play again, but today it must assume responsibility for that decision.
When the commission approved Cousins' draft nomination with appropriately strict one-strike conditions - despite the fallen star not producing a hair test to prove he was drug-free and continuing rumblings about his recovery and decision-making - it shifted responsibility to the clubs.
History shows us that it was all too cloudy and no one was prepared to accept the risk and pick up Cousins.
Richmond has effectively handed back the responsibility to the AFL.
Despite an amazingly positive public reaction to the Tigers' bid for Cousins, they decided not to end the speculation on Friday and take the heat out of the Graham Polak decision by announcing they would take Cousins with pick six in tomorrow's pre-season draft.
They refused to let the commission off the hook.
Effectively, Richmond wants the AFL to sanction the Cousins drafting plan - and share responsibility for the decision - by granting an extra pick in tomorrow's draft.
That pick would be created by allowing the club to place Polak on the rookie list while he recovers from a serious head injury.
If the Tigers don't get the extra selection, they could take Cousins with pick six and get an extra rookie, whose wage would not be included in the salary cap.
A firm declaration of their intention to draft Cousins regardless of what happens today would also have capitalised on a positive week for the club.
That they chose not to was an indication of how strongly they believe the commission must play a greater role in determining Cousins' future.
It also indicates how nervous the Richmond administration is about its image, and perhaps the decision itself, which is probably justified.
If they miss out on Cousins however, because the Commission fails to ignore the shallow protestations regarding Polak then they will have missed a massive opportunity, both from a commercial and club perspective.
The backlash from potential members, and possibly sponsors, is self-evident given last weeks avalanche of support for the idea of Cousins in a Tigers jumper.
Of similar importance is the apparently unifying effect this challenge has had on the club. Three months ago there appeared divisions within the clubs administration that were eroding the positive message their improved playing stocks, and 2009 potential, should have sent.
As they stood resolute on Friday in their defiance of pressure to use Pick 6 there was not a division to be seen but watch them reappear if Cousins does not.
Its a high risk strategy but the odds are with the Tigers for the Commission have a simple decision. The Polak injury, a neural deficit problem which has uncertain outcomes both physically and emotionally, should be treated in isolation to other football injuries.
Despite the obvious tragic nature of the injuries to Matt Egan of Geelong and Trent Henschel of the Adelaide Crows, they dont have the same sensitivities associated with them as any serious head injury whether caused on or off the ground.
Like serious disease, brain damage is a unique category of injury. Surely that is not a difficult concept to grasp and will allow the Commission the license to override any conflict with the rules whilst still enjoying the support of the bulk of the competition.
The Commission will find in favour of Richmond and Polak and create Pick 7 and therefore giving Ben Cousins a final chance to write a positive ending to his turbulent career and hopefully rebuild his life in the same environment that saw it implode. But it will only be a chance and no guarantee as Cousins has had many chances in the past and elected to ignore the warning signs.
If he ignores this one, losing his football career and public respect will be the least of his problems.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24799548-19742,00.html
